Death Associated with the Abuse of Typewriter Correction Fluid

Abstract

A case is reported of a 13-year-old boy who died suddenly during physical exercise. Post-mortem examination showed no macroscopic or histological abnormalities and it was only later that he was discovered to be a regular solvent abuser of typewriter correcting fluid containing the solvent 111 Trichloroethane. Typewriter correcting fluid is a relatively unusual substance for solvent abuse, and this case demonstrates the wide range of products which are inhaled by children. The implications of the abuse of 111 Trichloroethane are discussed, with particular reference to the possible mode of death in such cases.