NCJ Number
30888
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 87-95
Date Published
1975
Length
9 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE MECHANISMS OF DEATHS DUE TO THE INHALATION OF FLUOROCARBONS AND CONSIDERATIONS IN THE INVESTIGATION OF SUCH DEATHS.
Abstract
SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S., VOLATILE SOLVENT ABUSE HAS BECOME EPIDEMIC AMONG AMERICAN TEENAGERS. RECENTLY AEROSOLS HAVE BECOME THE MAJOR PRODUCTS OF ABUSE. COMMON PROPELLANTS IN AEROSOLS ARE THE FLUOROCARBONS: TRICHLOROFLUOROMETHANE (FC11), DICHLORODIFLUROMETHANE (FC12) AND DICHOLOROTETRAFLUORETHANE (FC114). INITIAL STUDIES INDICATED THAT THESE FLUOROCARBONS HAVE A LOW DEGREE OF TOXICITY IN HUMANS. HOWEVER, DUE TO RECENT ABUSE, OVER A HUNDRED DEATHS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE 'SNIFFING' OF AEROSOL PRODUCTS. FLUOROCARBON PROPELLANTS APPEAR TO INDUCE A PEHNOMENON CALLED 'SUDDEN SNIFFING DEATH SYNDROME' WHICH IS CHARACTERIZED BY SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED DEATH WITHOUT ASPHYXIAL SUFFOCATION BY A PLASTIC BAG. ANIMAL STUDIES HAVE REVEALED THAT FLUOROCARBONS IN HIGH CONCENTRATIIONS HAVE A DIRECT CARDIOTOXIC EFFECT AND EIGHER INDEPENDENTLY OF OR SYNERGISTICALLY WITH ENDOGENOUS CATECHOLAMINES INDUCE CARDIAC ARRHYTHIMIAS. THIS CARDIOTOXICITY OF THE FLUOROCARBONS MAY WELL EXPLAIN THE SUDDEN DEATH OF AERSOLO ABUSERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)