ALUMINIUM PHOSPHIDE
Aluminium Phosphide is a higly toxic inorganic compound with the chemical formula AIP.
It is mainly used as a fumigant for pest control and as a source of Phospine Gas (also used for fumigation). AIP crystals are dark grey to dark yellow in color. AIP is used as a rodenticide, insecticide, and fumigant for stored cereal grains. It is used to kill small verminous mammals such as moles and rodents. AIP is used as both a fumigant and an oral pesticide.
As a rodenticide, aluminium phosphide pellets are provided as a mixture with food for consumption by the rodents. The acid in the digestive system of the rodent reacts with the phospide to generate the toxic Phosphine Gas. It generates Phosphine gas according to the hydrolysis equation.
It is used as fumigant when other pesticide applications are impractical and when structures and installations are being treated, such as in ships, aircrafts, and grain silos. All of these structures can be effectively sealed or enclosed in a gas tight membrane, thereby containing and concentrating the Phospine fumes.
Fumigants are also applied directly to rodent burrows.