Nepal banned a tablet, but the poison is still for sale
Summary
Nepal’s ban on three-gram aluminium phosphide tablets has sharply reduced dichlorvos deaths but has done little to curb fatalities from other aluminium phosphide formulations. Researchers say loopholes, smuggling and the lack of an antidote continue to keep phosphine-related suicides high, even as farmers shift toward herbal storage protectants.
Key Points
- A 2019 Nepal government ban on eight highly hazardous pesticides included a three-gram aluminium phosphide tablet, but post-ban deaths from aluminium phosphide remain high.
- A multi-centre forensic study of 2,053 fatal pesticide poisoning cases found phosphine gas from aluminium phosphide was the leading cause of pesticide deaths for three consecutive years through mid-2024.
- The ban only restricted one formulation, while 12-gram tablets, pouch forms and smuggled products remain available, creating a loophole in enforcement.
- The article urges a blanket ban on all aluminium phosphide products, stronger border enforcement and wider use of safer botanical and storage alternatives.
