The UK P&I Club says it has received reports of a number of accidents and injuries to crew members resulting from the inadvertent release of highly toxic phosphine gas or the effects of fires and explosions, both caused by the unsafe disposal of residues of aluminium phosphide following the fumigation of cargoes in transit. International guidance and recommendations on fumigation on board ships is contained in MSC Circulars 12641 and 13962 and the IMSBC Code3. When phosphine generating formulations (of the type with which this bulletin is concerned) are used, any collected residues may ignite. The Ship Manager’s ISM Code should include a section dealing with fumigation.