Free phosphine from the anaerobic biosphere.
The possible liberation of highly toxic and mutagenic phosphine from putrefying media raises the question of its significance as a problem of hygiene. Free phosphine was established by gas chromatography as a universal trace component in gas emitted from the anaerobic biosphere. Sources of phosphine include landfills, compost processing, sewage sludge, animal slurry and river sediments. We detected maximum concentrations in the order of 20 ppb(v/v).
Institute of Animal Hygiene und Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 4, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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D
Glindemann
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U
Stottmeister
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A
Bergmann