Sierra Leoneans in Saudi Arabia Cautioned
The Sierra Leone Mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has cautioned its nationals across the Kingdom to be extremely careful when using certain insecticides, especially the ones that contain aluminum phosphide.
The Embassy’s call came after local dailies reported yesterday that police officers found some grocery stores in some parts of the country selling insecticides containing the dangerous chemical, the effects of which can be fatal.
Saudi authorities have reportedly ordered a crackdown on traders using illegal pesticides containing the deadly aluminum phosphide to fumigate homes.
A man was recently arrested after finding him in possession of phosphide he used in a home, police say. This, according to the cops, resulted in the poisoning of a Saudi man and his son who had to be rushed to the hospital.
The substance has caused several deaths in Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah over the past few days, Sami Badawood, director of the Jeddah health department told reporters in a hurriedly organized news conference last night.
Inorganic pesticide aluminum phosphide is primarily used as a fumigant against insects and as rat poison in closed areas such as silos, large containers and cargo ships. It cannot be used to kill household pests,health officials told reporters. “As little as 3 ml or a 1-gram pill can kill a child if inhaled,” the health experts reiterated.
By M.B. Jalloh, Press Attaché, Saudi Arabia
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