Unexpected death due to chloramine toxicity in a woman with a brain tumor.
It has been known for years that mixing household cleaning products can be hazardous. Nonetheless, from time to time, episodes of pneumonitis from such mixing occur. Although symptoms range from minor upper respiratory irritation to adult respiratory distress syndrome, deaths are very rare. We present the case of a woman with an undiagnosed oligodendroglioma who mixed bleach and ammonia (resulting in the formation of chloramine gas), and died while cleaning her bathroom. To our knowledge, this is the first such death reported from chloramine gas intoxication.
Cohle
S D
SD
Spectrum Health-Blodgett, Pathology & Lab. Medicine-Forensics, 1840 Wealthy St., S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49506, USA. sdcohle@aol.com
Thompson
W
W
Eisenga
B H
BH
Cottingham
S L
SL
D000328:Adult; D000641:Ammonia; D002700:Chloramines / Q000506:poisoning*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009837:Oligodendroglioma / Q000473:pathology; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
D002700:Chloramines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000641:Ammonia; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C030816:chloramine