Publication Summary

Aluminum phosphide is a fumigant (a chemical product that generates toxic fumes to kill insects) placed in the holds of ships filled with bulk grains such as barley, canola, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. It commonly comes in pellets or tablets inside capped, 10-inch aluminum canisters. Aluminum phosphide reacts with moisture in the air to produce phosphine gas, which is poisonous. Capped fumigation canisters thrown overboard will float and can eventually wash ashore. Beachcombers who find and open these canisters may be exposed to a health hazard due to the poisonous aluminum phosphide residue remaining in the canisters.