ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

A Fatal Case of Trichlorofluoromethane (Freon 11) Poisoning. Tissue Distribution Study by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Groppi, A
Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Post-Graduate Student, and Full Professor in Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia,

Polettini, A
Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Post-Graduate Student, and Full Professor in Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia,

Achille, G
Research Scientist, Sanitary and Social Local Unit (U.S.S.L.) Como,

Montagna, M
Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Post-Graduate Student, and Full Professor in Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia,

Lunetta, P
Research Scientist, Research Scientist, Post-Graduate Student, and Full Professor in Forensic Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Pavia,

(Received 14 June 1993; accepted 22 September 1993)

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.

Keywords:
toxicology trichlorofluoromethane, fatal poisoning, tissue distribution, headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS13667J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13667J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.