The government has warned members of the public against using aluminium phosphide to eradicate pests and insects at home.
The chemical is prohibited for households as it is dangerous to humans and livestock.
Aluminium phosphide – widely known as “rat pills”, is deadly to any living organism as it turns from its solid state to gas once the package is opened.
The chief director for crop research and specialist services in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dumisani Kutywayo, said the use of the chemical should only be done by trained people. He said:
We are talking of a restricted fumigant here. This means it should be used only by trained applicators, and should never be used inside homes, near human or animal habitation.
It is restricted for use where bulk storage of cereals is done, like at Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos.
Kutywayo added that repeated exposure to the chemical causes serious damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver.
More: The Sunday Mail