Clinical Findings in Acute Phosphine Gas Exposure

 

A person exposed to phosphine may have an odor like garlic, acetylene or decaying fish on the breath or clothing..

 

Systems affected:

(1) respiratory tract

(2) gastrointestinal tract

(3) liver

(4) central nervous system (CNS)

(5) cardiovascular system

 

Respiratory tract findings:

(1) cough

(2) dyspnea

(3) rhonchi/asthma

(4) pulmonary edema

 

Gastrointestinal tract findings

(1) diarrhea

(2) nausea and vomiting

(3) abdominal pain

 

Hepatic findings:

(1) jaundice

(2) centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis

 

CNS findings

(1) dizziness

(2) headaches

(3) ataxia

(4) fatigue

(5) intention tremor

(6) diplopia

(7) seizures

(8) weakness and/or muscle pain

(9) syncope

(10) stupor or coma

 

Cardiovascular findings:

(1) toxic myocarditis

(2) subendocardial infarction

(3) congestive heart failure

(4) cardiac arrhythmias

(5) hypotension and shock