Journal Published Online: 01 May 1994
Volume 39, Issue 3

A Fatal Case of Trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11) Poisoning. Tissue Distribution Study by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A case of lethal poisoning due to trichlorofluoromethane (FC11) inhalation is described. The fluorocarbon was determined in biological tissues by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. FC11 was detected in all the examined tissues, with decreasing levels in heart, lung, brain, liver, blood, kidney, and spleen. The highest concentration measured in heart could be related to the mode of toxic action of fluorocarbons postulated by many authors, characterized by the sensitization of the myocardium to the catecholamines producing arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. Nevertheless the aspecific picture of the anatomo-pathological and histological findings does not exclude that the described accidental fatality may have been caused by the combination of direct freon toxicity with hypoxemic asphyxiation, due to the saturation of the atmosphere by FC11 in the closed environment in which the intoxication occurred.

Author Information

Groppi, A
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
Polettini, A
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
Lunetta, P
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
Achille, G
Sanitary and Social Local Unit (U.S.S.L.) Como, Italy
Montagna, M
Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13667J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13667J