ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 10 March 2004
Page Count: 3

Sudden Death Caused by 1,1-difluoroethane Inhalation
Wetli, CV

Avella, J
Suffolk County Office of the Medical Examiner, NY

Xiong, Z
State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY

(Received 4 August 2003; accepted 21 November 2003)

Abstract

A 20-year-old man was found dead on the floor next to a computer, with a nearly full can of “CRC Duster” dust remover located next to the deceased on the floor, and an empty can of the same product on the computer desk. Toxicologic evaluation using either gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) method identified the active ingredient 1,1-difluoroethane (Freon 152a) in all tissues analyzed. Tissue distribution studies revealed highest concentration in central blood, lung, and liver. It is believed that the 1,1-difluoroethane inhalation was the cause of death.

Keywords:
forensic science, sudden death, forensic toxicology, volatile substance inhalation, difluoroethane, Freon

Paper ID: JFS2003250
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003250
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