Korean J Leg Med.  2022 Nov;46(4):133-137. 10.7580/kjlm.2022.46.4.133.

Death Due to Acrylic Adhesive (Dichloromethane): A Case Report

• Hyun HB
• Park JY
• Park HS
• Hong JH
• Ko MG
• Kang HW
• Lim HS

• KMID: 2536627
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2022.46.4.133

Abstract

Deaths due to dichloromethane (DCM) poisoning are mainly caused due to accidents at industrial sites, and suicidal cases are known to be rare. Herein, we report a case of a 56-year-old man who worked as a technician and died after consuming DCM for suicidal motive. According to the investigations, he had left a recorded message on his phone for his wife, which suggested he committed suicide. At the scene, opened DCM and whiskey bottles were found; approximately 120 mL of the DCM was still in the bottle. No specific injuries were externally observed during the autopsy. Microscopic examination showed denudation of epithelium in the esophageal and gastric mucosa, and no inflammatory reaction proceeded. The denudation was accompanied by pulmonary edema, acute tubular necrosis in the kidneys, and microvesicular steatosis in the liver. The DCM was detected in blood, gastric contents, and nasal cavity fluid. The concentration of alcohol in the blood was found to be 0.487%. It was presumed that he died of acute DCM poisoning while drunk. In cases of suspicious acute and chronic DCM poisoning deaths, investigations of carboxyhemoglobin and the clinical chemistry of blood or body fluids are warranted to determine the cause and mechanism of death.

Keyword

Acrylic adhesive; Dichloromethane; Poisoning; Suicide