Solvent abuse or glue-sniffing has become an increasing problem in the young and a wide variety of substances have been involved. Bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF) is a vapourizing liquid fire-extinguishing agent, particularly effective against burning liquids or electrical fires. We report five sudden deaths resulting from the deliberate inhalation for euphoric effect of the contents of BCF-type fire extinguishers.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonH. R.DickB.MacnairR. S.PalmerJ. C.RamsayJ. D. (1982) An investigation of 140 deaths associated with volatile substance abuse in the United Kingdom (1971–1981). Human Toxicology1, 207–21.
2.
AviadoD. M.BelejM. A. (1974) Toxicity of aerosol propellants on the respiratory and circulatory systems. Toxicology2, 31–42.
3.
BackK. C.Van SteeE. W. (1977) Toxicology of haloalkane propellants and fire extinguishants. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.17, 83–95.
LevyA. G. (1913) The exciting causes of ventricular fibrillation in animals under chloroform anaesthesia. Heart4, 319–78.
14.
MassingaleO. N.GlaserH. H.Le LievreR. E.DoddsJ. B.KlockM. E. (1963) Physical and psycho logic factors in glue-sniffing. N. Eng. J. Med.269, 1340–4.
15.
MullinL. S.ReinhardtC. F.HemingwayR. E. (1979) Cardiac arrhythmias and blood levels associated with inhalation of Halon 1301. Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.40, 653–8.
16.
PressE.DoneA. K. (1967) Solvent sniffing-physiologic effects and community control measures for intoxication from intentional inhalation of organic solvents. Pediatrics39, 611–22.
17.
ReinhardtC. F.AzarA.MaxfieldM. E.SmithP. E.MullinL. S. (1971) Cardiac arrhythmias and aerosol ‘sniffing’. Arch. Environ. Health22, 265–79.
18.
TaylorG. J.HarrisW. S. (1970) Cardiac toxicity of aerosol propellants. J.A.M.A.214, 81–5.
19.
WatsonJ. M. (1979) Morbidity and mortality statistics on solvent abuse. Med. Sci. Law.19, 246–52.