Journal Published Online: 01 September 1998
Volume 43, Issue 5

Distribution of Phenol in a Fatal Poisoning Case Determined by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A victim who was presumed to have ingested waste fluid containing phenol of DNA extraction was found dead in his laboratory. The skin was partially chemically burned, with blisters as maps. No mechanical injuries were observed. The pathological findings of the liver and kidney were typical of those of acute substantial poisoning. Phenol concentrations in the blood, urine, stomach contents and organs were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Phenol was distributed throughout the body. The concentration of free phenol in the blood was found to be 60 µg/mL, and in the urine it was 208 µg/mL. The phenol concentrations in the organs were found as follows: 106 µg/g in the brain; 116 µg/g in the lungs; 166 µg/g in the liver, and 874 µg/g in the kidney, respectively. Significantly high concentrations were observed in the kidney, urine, and liver. To the best of our knowledge, such an intoxication through this kind of ingestion has never been reported before. Distributions of phenol in fatal poisonings have been reported, but colorimetry was used as the analytical method and it cannot exclude the interference of other phenolic compounds.

Author Information

Tanaka, T
School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
Kasai, K
School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
Kita, T
School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
Tanaka, N
School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
Pages: 3
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Stock #: JFS14364J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14364J