A fatality involving 1,3-propanediol and its implications in measurement of other glycols.
The decomposed body of a 45-year-old female was found, face down, in a mobile home, along with a suicide note and two antifreeze containers. Analysis of the body fluid collected from the decedent showed the presence of 58 mg/dL ethanol, but suspected ethylene glycol was not found in the sample. However, an unusually large peak of internal standard, 1,3-propanediol, was found in the sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 1,3-propanediol in the sample. Using gas chromatography-flame-ionization detection, the concentration of 1,3-propanediol was determined to be 445 mg/dL. To our knowledge, this is the first report involving 1,3-propanediol as the cause of death. The study also highlights the importance for the close scrutiny of data, as 1,3-propanediol is a frequently used internal standard for the assay of glycols.
Garg
Uttam
U
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, and University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA. ugarg@cmh.edu
Frazee
C Clinton
CC
Kiscoan
Mike
M
Scott
David
D
Peterson
Bonita
B
Cathcart
David
D
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000378:metabolism / Q000506:poisoning*; D013405:Suicide
D011409:Propylene Glycols; C041787:1,3-propanediol