Fatal Inhalation Injury by Sulfuric Acid Fumes: Case Report.

Huh, Gi Yeong; Ha, Hong Il; Park, Jong Hyeok; Jang, Seon Jung

doi:2013.37.4.216

Korean J Leg Med > Volume 37(4); 2013 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2013;37(4):216-219.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2013.37.4.216 Published online November 30, 2013.

Fatal Inhalation Injury by Sulfuric Acid Fumes: Case Report.

Gi Yeong Huh, Hong Il Ha, Jong Hyeok Park, Seon Jung Jang

¹Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam, Korea. gyhuh@pusan.ac.kr
²Division of Forensic Medicine, Southern District Office, National Forensic Service, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam, Korea.
³Department of Pathology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

Sulfuric acid can cause local or systemic effects after exposure by inhalation, ingestion, or topical application. Direct ingestion is the main exposure route for fatal sulfuric acid injury. Fatal accidents involving the inhalation of toxic sulfuric acid vapors are rare. Inhalation of sulfuric acid fumes causes severe irritation or corrosive damage to the upper respiratory tract. Consequently, severe congestion, edema, and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory passages hinder the entry of air into the lungs, possibly leading to fatalities in victims. A 35-year-old man died at his home after complaining of a severe sore throat. One day earlier, he had worked in a sulfuric acid tank in a copper-smelting plant while wearing an ordinary gas mask that offered no protection against sulfurous acid vapors. Upon autopsy, the larynx and epiglottis showed pronounced edema, congestion, and inflammation that histologically mimicked an acute bacterial suppurative inflammation, accompanied by severe pulmonary edema. A field analysis of the air inside the sulfuric acid tank revealed SO4(2-) positivity and a 40% sulfuric acid concentration.

Key Words: Sulfuric acid, Fumes, Inhalation, Laryngo-epiglottitis, Pulmonary edema