The recent accidental poisoning of an entire family in Fort MacMurray has many people wondering what phosphine is, why it is used, and just how dangerous this insecticide is. Phosphine is a gas that is colorless, and this gas is also odorless when it is in the pure form. This substance is used for many purposes, and one of the applications is as an insecticide. The gas can not contaminate water or food, but it can be inhaled, ingested, and absorbed through the skin. Direct contact with the pure gas can result in frostbite of the tissues that were exposed. Even exposure to a small amount of a phosphine based insecticide can be fatal to humans, and children are more susceptible because they have a lower body weight and mass plus their systems are still developing.

Phosphine based insecticides, like the product that poisoned an entire Fort MacMurray family, are very dangerous. These products can be very effective at eliminating bedbugs and other household pests though, and they are often used for pesticide in orders to get rid of insects and pests that could cause an infestation. Phosphine is toxic to almost all life forms, so it will work effectively at killing bugs and pests. Unfortunately this same aspect makes phosphine based insecticides very dangerous for use in places where people and pets will be. In the most recent accidental poisoning in Fort MacMurray an 8 month old died, and two older children are still hospitalized in critical condition and may not fully recover.