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124 Deaths in Tehran in the First Six Months of This Year Due to Rice Pills

Feb 2, 2026 February 2, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

In the first half of this year, 124 deaths in Tehran were attributed to rice pill poisoning, with a notable decrease in cases compared to the previous year. The primary causes include accidental ingestion and suicides, particularly among young adults. This issue highlights ongoing public health concerns related to toxic substances in Iran.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The persistence of rice pill poisoning deaths highlights critical public health concerns in Iran, particularly among youth.

👥 Key Players

Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran MENTIONED
Health authority reporting on poisoning cases
"They provide critical data on public health issues, influencing policy and awareness regarding toxic substances."
Fars News Agency MENTIONED
News agency reporting on health statistics
"As a state-affiliated media outlet, they shape public perception and government accountability regarding health crises."

📰 What Happened

In the first half of this year, 124 deaths in Tehran were reported due to rice pill poisoning, with a significant number of cases linked to suicide attempts among young adults. Although the total number of deaths remained the same as last year, there was a notable decrease in cases in September.

  • Rice pills, or aluminum phosphide, are toxic substances used for disinfecting rice.
  • The majority of victims were aged between 20 and 40, highlighting a concerning trend in suicide attempts.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The high number of deaths from rice pill poisoning underscores serious public health and mental health issues, necessitating urgent government intervention.
🌍 Regional: This situation may reflect broader regional issues regarding mental health and access to safe substances, potentially influencing neighboring countries.
🌐 International: International observers may view this as indicative of Iran's public health challenges, affecting its global image and humanitarian discussions.

📚 Background

Rice pills are commonly used in Iran for pest control in agriculture, but their toxic nature poses significant risks when misused. The issue of suicide among young adults is a growing concern in Iranian society.

Mental health in Iran Public health policies regarding toxic substances
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
Fars News Agency is a state-affiliated outlet, which may influence the framing of health issues to align with government narratives.

According to the information system of the Legal Medicine Organization, 124 deaths due to poisoning from rice pills occurred in Tehran in the first six months of this year. Based on the latest report from the Legal Medicine Organization, out of all cases of death due to poisoning from rice pills in the first half of this year, 72 were men and 52 were women. Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday, December 1, that in the same period last year, the number of deaths from rice pill consumption was also reported as 124. According to the Legal Medicine report, in September of this year, the number of deaths due to rice pill poisoning was reported to be 10 cases, showing a decrease of over 52% compared to the same period last year. The main reasons for rice pill poisoning in Iran, as reported by domestic news agencies and media, are mistakenly consuming the pills found in rice and using them for suicide. The Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran Province reported an increase of 36% in deaths due to rice pill consumption in August of this year. According to this report, most victims were between 20 and 40 years old and consumed rice pills with the intention of committing suicide. Aluminum phosphide, or what is commonly known as 'rice pills' in Iran, is a toxic substance typically used for disinfecting rice in warehouses, and the use of 0.15 grams of it can lead to death. This pill disrupts the respiratory and cardiac systems within three to four hours, leading to a painful death. If a person ingests the rice pill or inhales its smell, they will become poisoned, and if the poison is not expelled from their body, it will result in death. In this context, there was a 36% increase in fatalities due to rice pill consumption in Tehran Province, with 191 Iranians dying in the spring due to rice pill poisoning, and an increase in fatalities due to rice pill consumption: 169 people in three months. Additionally, 449 deaths were reported due to the use of contaminated rice in Iran over the past nine months.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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