A Jeddah family paid a heavy price for using an industrial-strength pesticide in an attempt to rid its home of cockroaches, losing two infants. The lingering toxic fumes killed 4-month-old Ahmad died Monday in a hospital close to the family's apartment in Safa District. One day earlier, his elder brother Abdullah, 16 months, had died inhaling the same toxic fumes. The Civil Defense has urged the tenants of the building to evacuate it to stop any further casualty from the sweeping fumes until the building has been fully cleared of hazards. The pesticide was applied early Saturday in the bedroom of the children. The chemical, ammonium-phosphate with 65 percent concentration in the pesticide, released a toxic gas that was inhaled by the kids. Security authorities sent experts in criminal investigation who sealed off the house and collected samples for laboratory analysis and also to trace any other chemical substance than the lethal ammonium-phosphate which had been found earlier. Jamal, father of the two, said all family members felt dizziness and started vomiting when they inhaled the pesticide Sunday. He said after a short while Abdullah collapsed and breathed his last instantly. Dr. Sami Badawood, director of Health Affairs in Jeddah, said the mother of the children is still undergoing treatment due to inhaling the toxic substance.
