Fwd: [hazmat101] Pakistan: Killer wheat pills claimed 11 lives this year

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Thoughts on this? The treatment especially.

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--- [hazmat101] Pakistan: Killer wheat pills claimed 11 lives this year

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Killer wheat pills claimed 11 lives this year

Muhammad Qasim

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Rawalpindi

To date in 2012, a total of 24 persons have been brought to the three

teaching hospitals in town after ingestion of poisonous wheat pills, of

which 11 could not survive.

The poisonous wheat pills, which are openly available in almost all markets

of the country, are commonly used to safeguard wheat grains from rodents and

harmful insects. The wheat pill poisoning is considered as one of the most

fatal, but still they are even available in a number of general stores in

town and the concerned authorities have not taken any step to check

over-the-counter sale of the killer pills.

According to data collected by 'The News', the allied hospitals in town

received 13 persons after ingestion of wheat pills in 2007 and none of them

survived. In 2008, 18 patients were brought to the allied hospitals, of

which 17 died, while in 2009, 17 patients were brought, of which 14 died and

three survived. In 2010, 21 patients were brought to the allied hospitals

after ingestion of wheat pills, of which 20 died while one survived. In

2011, the killer pills claimed over 30 lives. The data available is of

patients who were taken to the allied hospitals in town after ingestion of

killer pills.

" This year, however, the health professionals managed to save lives of 13

persons at District Headquarters Hospital who were brought to the hospital

after ingestion of wheat pills, " said Chairman Young Doctors Association

Punjab Dr Muhammad Haroon while talking to 'The News' on Friday. He added

that a total of 24 cases have been reported at the allied hospitals in the

last two months of which 11 persons died after ingestion of wheat pills.

Last year, the YDA had demanded the government to put a check on open sale

of wheat pills; however, nothing has yet been done on the subject. Dr Haroon

terming saving of 13 lives a great success said that it has become possible

only after attention of media to the issue as a section of press has

published guidelines for treatment of patients after intake of wheat pills.

Wheat pills contain aluminium phosphide that on contact with water releases

PH3 (Phosphine gas), which destroys the mitochondria of heart, liver and

pancreas.

In most of the cases, the persons who take wheat pills suffer a fatal

cardiac arrest. In case of stomach wash, a person who has taken wheat pills

cannot survive. According to experts, if anyone takes wheat pills, he or she

should be given two litres of cooking oil or coconut oil that might be life

saving as it prevents release of phosphine. The aim of giving oil is to

prevent disintegration of the pills so that it passes out in the stool

without releasing phosphine gas.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=94474&Cat=6&dt=2/25/2012

This is an enormous increase of phosphine suicides! Often the victims are

bankrupt farmers, crushed by financial vultures.

I wonder if the effective medical treatment, mentioned here, is known

worldwide? This was new to me - but very logical at the same time

" In case of stomach wash, a person who has taken wheat pills cannot survive.

According to experts, if anyone takes wheat pills, he or she should be given

two litres of cooking oil or coconut oil that might be life saving as it

prevents release of phosphine. The aim of giving oil is to prevent

disintegration of the pills so that it passes out in the stool without

releasing phosphine gas. " Just in case, I will spread the word amongst my

medical hazmat colleagues.