title: Fatal gassing due to methylene chloride - a case report.
abstract: Methylene chloride is a major component of paint and varnish strippers. Due to its high volatility, its use in unventilated or poorly ventilated confined spaces poses a serious health hazard as a result of accumulation of the solvent vapour. At high levels, methylene chloride can cause severe central nervous system depression and ultimately death, as illustrated in this case report. The importance of adequate forced ventilation, utilisation of proper personal protective equipment and enforcement of a permit-to-work system during work with solvents in confined spaces is emphasised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Health, Ministry of Labour, Singapore.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tay
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Sam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000506:poisoning*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008752:Methylene Chloride / Q000506:poisoning*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D012846:Singapore
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D008752:Methylene Chloride