Methylene chloride: Report of five exposures and two deaths

Jerrold B. Leikin*, Dale M Kaufman, Jack W. Lipscomb, Anthony M. Burda, Daniel O. Hryhorczuk

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Five patients presented to the emergency department (ED) following exposure in an enciosed space to methylene chloride (dichloromethane), used for removing paint. Two workers and three rescuers were involved. Two rescuers complained only of dizziness and mild nausea, and were subsequently discharged from the ED. One rescuer was asymptomatic. Worker no. 1 arrived in cardiac arrest and eventually died in the ED despite resuscitation efforts. Worker no. 2 also presented to the ED in cardiac arrest, and was successfully resuscilated to pulse and blood pressure. However, he never regained consciousness or spontaneous respirations, and died on the fourth day. Of interest is that worker no. 2's carboxyhemoglobin level increased from 2% to 8% over the 9 hours following admission, despite administration of 40% to 50% oxygen by endotracheal tube. Among the conclusions that can be drawn are (1) the cause of death in these patients was not carbon monoxide poisoning, but solvent-induced narcosis; (2) carboxyhemoglobin levels may continue to rise following cessation of exposure, despite administration of high flow oxygen; (3) rescuers can easily become victims if proper protective clothing and respirators are not worn.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)534-537
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Emergency Medicine
Volume8
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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