ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 25 May 2005
Page Count: 3

Fatalities By Ingestion of Propylene Glycol
Marker, E
Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York University School of Medicine, NY

Stajic, M
Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York University School of Medicine, NY

deRoux, SJ
Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, New York University School of Medicine, NY

(Received 30 October 2004; accepted 5 March 2005)

Abstract

Propylene glycol (PG), a widely used solvent and lubricant, is thought to have low toxicity when ingested. Three cases were identified where PG, either alone or in combination with other chemical agents, contributed to death. The decedent in whom PG was the sole agent was a 32-year-old schizophrenic man with cardiomegaly and renal impairment. The blood PG concentration was 4410 mg/L at least 9.5 h following ingestion.

Keywords:
forensic science, propylene glycol, suicide, toxins

Paper ID: JFS2004460
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004460
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