TY - JOUR
T1 - An unusual exposure to methyl bromide leading to fatality
AU - Horowitz, B. Zane
AU - Albertson, Timothy E.
AU - O'Malley, Michael
AU - Swenson, Emilie J.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - Introduction: Methyl bromide has been responsible for deaths that usually occur from its accidental inhalation during fumigation. Case Report: We report an accidental fatality that occurred after methyl bromide seeped through underground conduits from a fumigated building to an adjacent guest house on the same property. The patient developed refractory seizures, intermittent fever, and multiorgan system failure before dying 19 days after exposure. The initial serum bromide was 27 mg/dL. Postmortem analysis detected methyl bromide concentrations of 2.9 mg/dL in the blood, 1.7 mg/dL in the bile, 24 μg/g in the liver, and 28 μg/g in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Methyl bromide, although applied under acceptable safety standards, led to the inadvertent death of a young woman. Extreme care must be used when fumigating to insure no unsuspected seepage routes exist.
AB - Introduction: Methyl bromide has been responsible for deaths that usually occur from its accidental inhalation during fumigation. Case Report: We report an accidental fatality that occurred after methyl bromide seeped through underground conduits from a fumigated building to an adjacent guest house on the same property. The patient developed refractory seizures, intermittent fever, and multiorgan system failure before dying 19 days after exposure. The initial serum bromide was 27 mg/dL. Postmortem analysis detected methyl bromide concentrations of 2.9 mg/dL in the blood, 1.7 mg/dL in the bile, 24 μg/g in the liver, and 28 μg/g in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Methyl bromide, although applied under acceptable safety standards, led to the inadvertent death of a young woman. Extreme care must be used when fumigating to insure no unsuspected seepage routes exist.
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U2 - 10.3109/15563659809028032
DO - 10.3109/15563659809028032
M3 - Article
C2 - 9711202
AN - SCOPUS:3542998044
SN - 0731-3810
VL - 36
SP - 353
EP - 357
JO - Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology
JF - Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology
IS - 4
ER -