Three children are reported dead after using a fumigation tablet intended for the control of insects in stored grain, process food and feeds.
Preliminary checks by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) revealed that the family used the said pesticide (TOPSTOXIN) which has aluminium phosphide as its active ingredient.
Aluminium phosphide is used as a fumigant to protect stored grains from insects and rodents, which makes the product an agrochemical and not a household chemical.
In the presence of moisture, aluminium phosphide releases phosphine which is highly toxic.
Although the product is a pesticide (agro chemical), which does not fall under the regulations of the FDA, the FDA is liaising with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agriculture Ministry to investigate the source and distribution channels for the product.
As part of its safety monitoring activities to the 37 Military Hospital, the FDA dispatched officers to ascertain the cause of death.
A statement signed by the Head of Communication and Public Education James Lartey, it advised the public to carefully read the labels of all products and follow the direction for use before using or consuming any of their regulated products to avoid injuries and allergies which may lead to deaths.
‘The general public is also being entreated to inform the FDA of any regulated products found on the market which does not comply to the standards on the following numbers and social media platforms;
- 0800151000 (Toll free on Vodafone and AirtelTigo only)
- 0299802932 or 0299802933 (Hotllines)
- 4015 (SMS short code)
- 0206973065 (WhatsApp)
- Food and Drugs Authority-GH (Facebook)
- GH_FDA (Twitter),’ it said.
By: Ghana/Ultimatefmonline.com/106.9FM
The post Fumigation tablet kills three children appeared first on Ultimate FM.
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