Fatal lighter-gas sniffing
Hansen, A.C.; Knudsen, P.J.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 150(14): 867-869
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3363725 Document Number: 316016
The first two cases of fatal-lighter-gas sniffing in Denmark are presented. Both of the individuals were young, otherwise healthy, men. They were found with a lighter-gas refill in the immediate vicinity and without evidence of circumstances which could have resulted in anoxia. Medico-legal autopsy did not reveal anything abnormal. By means of headspace gas chromatograpy, the constituents of lighter-gas were found in several organs. It is concluded that the cause of death was poisoning with lighter-gas and that death was accidental. The risk involved in a single episode of sniffing lighter-gas is unpredictable, as this may be influenced by fortuitous external circumstances. This dangerous form of behaviour must be strongly warned against.