Four Dokadia family members die in South Mumbai from zinc phosphide poisoning
Four members of the Dokadia family died in South Mumbai on April 26 under mysterious circumstances hours after eating a watermelon purchased locally, with forensic reports later attributing their deaths to zinc phosphide poisoning. The tragedy has highlighted critical concerns over the lack of regulation and easy online availability of the highly toxic chemical, commonly used as rat poison.
Forensic investigations revealed that the victims suffered from zinc phosphide poisoning. When swallowed, the chemical reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to release phosphine gas. This extremely poisonous substance rapidly damages internal organs, making it highly lethal.
How the grey-coloured chemical compound entered the family's system remains a mystery. Local police have been investigating the matter, but tracking the source is complicated by the widespread and largely unregulated household applications of the substance.
While the chemical is highly toxic, officials state its supply is difficult to monitor. Zinc phosphide falls under the purview of the Department of Agriculture and is overseen by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC), headquartered in Faridabad, Haryana.
However, neither the local police nor the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates its daily supply. According to an FDA official, while medicines come under their jurisdiction, insecticides like zinc phosphide do not.
Under the Insecticides Act of 1968, zinc phosphide is listed as a regulated substance. Section 27 of the Act allows the government to prohibit the sale and distribution of an insecticide if it poses a risk to human beings or animals. Despite this, licensing inspectors oversee stocking permissions, and online portals continue to sell the chemical.
Government officials have pointed out that some online portals are notorious for supplying large quantities of such chemicals without conducting any checks. State Agriculture Commissioner Suraj Mandhare did not respond to queries regarding the regulation of the chemical or potential plans to restrict its sale.
