Rare cases of gas poisoning in the practice of forensic medicine

Sławomir Majdanik, Barbara Potocka-Banaś, Marzena Łabęcka, Urszula Semeniuk, Krzysztof Borowiak

Abstract


Cases of poisoning with gases other than carbon monoxide are rarely reported in forensic medicine. Usually they are associated with an accident, suicidal intoxication, or recreational inhalation to obtain psychoactive effects. The paper presents 2 cases of poisoning with an air freshener aerosol and argon. Both cases were confirmed after confronting the results of post-mortem examination, additional tests, and the detailed circumstances of the incidents. These cases deserve attention because of both the clinical and scientific aspects.


Keywords


air freshener; argon; death; poisoning.

Full Text:

PDF Zdalny

References


Musshoff F, Hagemeier L, Kirschbaum K, Madea B. Two cases of suicide by asphyxiation due to helium and argon. Forensic Sci Int 2012;223 (1-3):e27-30.

Potocka-Banaś B, Majdanik S, Dutkiewicz G, Borowiak K, Janus T. Death caused by addictive inhalation of nitrous oxide. Hum Exp Toxicol 2011;30(11):1875-7.

Weimann J. Toxicity of nitrous oxide. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2003;17(1):47-61.

Kim S, Hong SH, Bong CK, Cho MH. Characterization of air freshener emission: the potential health effects. J Toxicol Sci 2015;40(5):535-50.

Baum JA. The carrier gas in anaesthesia: nitrous oxide/oxygen, medical air/oxygen and pure oxygen. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2004;17(6):513-6.

Myles PS, Leslie K, Chan MT, Forbes A, Paech MJ, Peyton P, et al. Avoidance of nitrous oxide for patients undergoing major surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Anesthesiology 2007;107(2):221-31.

Sanders RD, Weimann J, Maze M. Biologic effects of nitrous oxide: a mechanistic and toxicologic review. Anesthesiology 2008;109(4):707-22.

European Parliament and Council Directive No 95/2/EC of 20 February 1995 on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (OJ No L 61, 18. 3. 1995, p. 1).

Steinemann A. Fragranced consumer products: effects on asthmatics. Air Qual Atmos Health 2018;11(1):3-9.

Hitosugi M, Tsukada C, Yamauchi S, Matsushima K, Furukawa S, Morita S et al. An autopsy case of fatal repellent air freshener poisoning. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2015;17(5):360-3.

Grassberger M, Krauskopf A. Suicidal asphyxiation with helium: report of three cases. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2007;119(9-10):323-5.

Sandomirsky M, Crifasi JA, Long C, Mitchell EK. Case report of fatal complication in prostatic cryotherapy. First reported death due to argon gas emboli. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 2012;33(1):68-72




DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.623

Copyright (c) 2020

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/pl/