Journal Published Online: 01 January 2001
Volume 46, Issue 1

Pesticide Poisoning Initially Suspected as a Natural Death

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A pesticide poisoning victim suspected initially as having died a natural death was autopsied. The victim was a 47-year-old male. Macroscopically, signs of acute death and, in particular, general erosion in the mucosa of the airways and esophagus were observed. In the gastric contents, which had a pungent smell and a greenish-brown color, 5.00 g/L of propanil, 1.27 g/L of carbaryl, 0.38 g/L of ethylbenzene, and 0.32 g/L of xylene were detected. In the blood (serum), 21.6 mg/L of propanil, 8.1 mg/L of carbaryl, 1.7 mg/L of ethylbenzene, and 4.0 mg/L of xylene were identified. Postmortem methemoglobinemia (45%) was recognized. The cause of death was considered to have been pesticide poisoning; propanil was probably most responsible for his death. The police considered the case to be “death with illness as the suspected cause.” By performing an autopsy, however, we were able to clarify that the cause of death was pesticide poisoning.

Author Information

Yamazaki, M
Courae of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan Osaka Medical Examiner's Office, Osaka, Japan
Terada, M
Courae of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
Kuroki, H
Courae of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan Osaka Medical Examiner's Office, Osaka, Japan
Honda, K
Courae of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan Osaka Medical Examiner's Office, Osaka, Japan
Matoba, R
Courae of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan Osaka Medical Examiner's Office, Osaka, Japan
Mitsukuni, Y
Osaka Medical Examiner's Office, Osaka, Japan
Pages: 6
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS14930J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14930J