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Two Fatal Cases of Dichloromethane or Chloroform Poisoning

NCJ Number
164346
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1996) Pages: 527-529
Author(s)
N Kim; Park S; J Suh
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the material and methods used to diagnose causes of death in two fatal cases of dichloromethane or chloroform poisoning.
Abstract
Chloroform has contemporary application in industry and the laboratory as a solvent and chemical intermediate, but is historically well known as an inhalation anesthetic. Acute chloroform exposure may result in death by respiration failure. The primary effect of chloroform is central nervous system depression with inebriation, anesthesia, and narcosis (1,2). The central nervous system depression effect allows for the nontherapeutic but intentional use of chloroform for recreation, suicide, assault, and homicide. The two cases presented in this report involve deaths that were due to dichloromethane or chloroform poisoning. The dichloromethane and chloroform were determined in biological specimens by headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector. In one case, dichloromethane concentrations found were 252 mg/L (blood), 75 mg/kg (brain), and 30 mg/kg (heart). From the case investigation, it was determined that the death in one case was accidental but related to the dichloromethane poisoning. In the other case, chloroform concentrations were 60 mg/kg (blood) and 14 mg/kg (lungs), respectively. In this case, the cause of death was chloroform poisoning by forced inhalation in addition to oronasal obstruction. 2 figures, 2 tables, and 7 references

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