title: [Acute hydrogen sulfite intoxication: report of three lethal cases occurred at a Senegalese chemical plant].
abstract: We report an hydrogen sulfite intoxication which occurred in a Senegalese chemical plant and which lead to the death of three temporary workers in charge of cleaning up the pumping basin of seawater. Hydogen sulfite was generated by the decomposition of seaweeds and other inorganic compounds. Agitation of water due to human presence increased the air concentration at very high levels. The death of workers trying to rescue their colleagues was due to their ignorance of key elementary prevention rules. Diagnosis was based upon microbiologic analysis and air sampling. The ignorance of toxicologic effects of this widespread substance invite to inform people working in industries where the risk of hydrogen sulfite intoxication is high.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine du Travail UCAD, Dakar Sénégal.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mbaye
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ntunzimbona
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soumah
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sow
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002617:Chemical Industry; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012675:Senegal; D013447:Sulfites / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D013447:Sulfites; C042345:hydrogen sulfite