6.

93 Phosphorus and phosphides

Yellow phosphorus (P) and the phosphides of zinc, aluminium and
magnesium are used as rodenticides, usually as a paste containing sugar
and bran.
QUALITATIVE TEST
Applicable to stomach contents and scene residues.
Reagents
1. Silver nitrate solution (saturated) in methanol.
2. Aqueous lead acetate solution (100 g/l).
Method
1. Soak a strip (5 1 cm) of filter-paper in the silver nitrate solution and allow
to dry at room temperature.
2. Soak a similar strip of filter-paper in the lead acetate solution and again
dry at room temperature.
3. Place 5 ml of sample in a boiling-tube fitted with a cork with a slit cut in
each side.
4. Insert the test papers into the slits, stopper the tube and heat on a waterbath at 60C for 20 minutes.
Results
If only the silver nitrate paper is blackened then phosphorus or phosphides
may be present. If both papers are blackened then sulfides may be present
and the result is inconclusive.
Sensitivity
Phosphorus, 1 g/l.

International Programme on Chemical Safety. Basic Analytical Toxicology. 6.93 Phosphorus and phosphides.
Obtenido de: http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/training_poisons/basic_analytical_tox/en/index11.html

CONFIRMATORY TEST
Applicable to blackened silver nitrate paper from the test above.
Reagents
1. Ammonium molybdate reagent. Mix 5 g of ammonium molybdate in 100
ml of water and 35 ml of concentrated nitric acid (relative density 1.42).
2. o-Toluidine reagent. Mix 50 mg of o-toluidine and 10 ml of glacial acetic
acid, diluted to 100 ml with purified water.
3. Concentrated ammonium hydroxide (relative density 0.88).
4. Powdered calcium hypochlorite.
Method
1. Place the silver nitrate paper on a glass microscope slide and cover with
calcium hypochlorite.
2. Leave in a moist chamber for 15 minutes to allow oxidation of phosphide
to phosphate.
3. Remove excess hypochlorite by careful washing with a small amount of
purified water and dry the test paper by blotting with absorbent tissue.
4. Add 50 l of ammonium molybdate reagent to the dried paper followed
by 50 l of o-toluidine reagent and expose the paper to ammonia fumes from
concentrated ammonium hydroxide in a fume cupboard.
Results
A blue colour confirms phosphorus.
Sensitivity
Phosphorus, 1 g/l.
Clinical interpretation
Acute poisoning with yellow phosphorus gives rise to gastrointestinal
corrosion, nausea and vomiting, leading to coma, hypotension and
hepatorenal damage. Phosphides release phosphine (PH3) on contact with
water or moist air, and this gas acts on the gastrointestinal and central
nervous systems. Abdominal pain may be followed by nausea, vomiting,
gross ataxia, convulsions and coma, with death, usually within 2 hours, in
severe cases. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

International Programme on Chemical Safety. Basic Analytical Toxicology. 6.93 Phosphorus and phosphides.
Obtenido de: http://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/training_poisons/basic_analytical_tox/en/index11.html