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Life Tips 27/06/2025 17:16

A family woke up p0!isoned after a night with the AC on: Parents in critical state, two ch!ldr3n tragically d3ad. The reason is utterly devastating.

A family in India has endured an immense loss when their two young children died after a 'fateful' night.
On the morning of November 14, Giridharan (34), a bank employee, woke up feeling dizzy, nauseous, and struggling to breathe. In his attempt to call for help, he discovered that his wife, Pavithra (31), and their two children were unconscious. Realizing something was seriously wrong, he immediately called emergency services.
The entire family was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. After several hours of emergency treatment, Giridharan and Pavithra managed to survive. Unfortunately, their children, Vaishnavi (6) and Sai Sudharshan (1), could not be saved. The bodies of the children were sent to the Chromepet Government Hospital for autopsy, while their parents were admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Porur.
Suspicious of the circumstances, the police began an investigation based on the findings from the autopsy and the doctors' reports.
The Tragic Night
The ordeal began on Wednesday, November 13, when Giridharan contacted a pest control company in T Nagar through an online service to deal with rats and other pests in their Chennai home. While Pavithra took the children to the temple, the company’s staff arrived to spray insecticides, set up gel traps, and place pesticide tablets outside the house. Later that afternoon, the family returned home, and that night, they went to sleep in their air-conditioned room as usual. However, death silently visited the family that night.
According to police reports, the insecticide and rodenticide chemicals dispersed into the air as aerosols and accumulated in the family’s lungs. Since the room was air-conditioned and sealed, this created an ideal environment for the toxins to affect the entire family.
Dr. Chandrasekaran, an emergency specialist at SRM Hospital (Chennai), explained, “Rodent and insecticides come in many forms, such as powders, pellets, cakes, gels, and sprays. They often contain zinc phosphide and aluminum phosphide, which are highly toxic. The different forms have varying degrees of toxicity. In the case of the two children’s deaths, symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing suggest the involvement of organophosphorus poisoning, commonly found in pesticides. These chemicals affect respiratory function. When used in sealed rooms, inhalation can lead to poisoning and death. Children are particularly vulnerable.”
After confirming the cause of death, the police swiftly filed charges against three individuals from the pest control company. Employees Dinakaran and Shankar Das were arrested, while the company’s owner, Premkumar, fled, prompting the establishment of a special task force to capture him.
At present, Giridharan and Pavithra have survived the critical period but are still under close observation in the ICU for the next two days. Due to health complications, they have not yet been informed about the tragic loss of their children.
The incident has garnered widespread attention across India. The heartbreaking tragedy that befell the Giridharan family serves as a grave reminder about the dangers of using toxic chemicals for pest control in homes.
Doctors have issued warnings urging the public to be extra cautious to prevent similar tragic incidents from occurring. Dr. Karthikeyan from Meenakshi Specialty Hospital (Madurai) stated, “Rodent poisons come in three forms: powder, pellets, and gel. People often believe that gels are the most dangerous. However, even inhaling rodenticide can cause problems. Zinc phosphide in rodent poisons can cause suffocation. It is marked as ‘High Danger’ on Indian labels, meaning that 1–50 mg of the substance can be fatal.”
Important Safety Tips for Using Rodent and Pest Control Products:

  1. Carefully read the instructions and warnings on the packaging. Always use the correct dosage and application method as directed. Overuse of rodenticide can have adverse health effects.

  2. Store rodent and pest control products in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets.

  3. When applying, wear gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while handling these chemicals.

  4. Wash hands thoroughly after using pest control products.

  5. Prevent children and pets from accessing areas where pesticides have been applied.

  6. If the chemical comes into contact with skin or eyes, or if ingestion is suspected, seek medical help immediately.

  7. Always have the contact information of a poison control center on hand in case of emergency.

By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.

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