Fatal Accidental Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoning: A Domestic Case

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) poisonings are classically reported in occupational settings. We describe an unusual domestic case of fatal acute poisoning by H2S inhalation. A mother and her infant daughter were found dead in the kitchen of their home. The emergency medical team described a strong smell of rotten eggs, suggesting acute H2S poisoning. Autopsies revealed only multiorgan congestion. H2S was measured in blood and lung tissue samples by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Body fluids were negative, but H2S was found in the lungs of both the mother and the child at concentrations of 1.46 and 1.92 mg/kg, respectively, concentrations described in the literature as potentially lethal. Expert surveys of the premises suggested a complex mechanism involving both defective maintenance of the pipes and drains of the building and faulty assembly of the sink siphon, which led to stagnation of waste water and formation of a pocket of H2S.

[1]  T Bassindale,et al.  Deaths in Rotorua's geothermal hot pools: hydrogen sulphide poisoning. , 2011, Forensic science international.

[2]  S. Serin,et al.  Hydrogen sulfide toxicity in a thermal spring: a fatal outcome , 2010, Clinical toxicology.

[3]  A. Longmire,et al.  Hydrogen sulfide exposure as a cause of sudden occupational death. , 2010, Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine.

[4]  Seong Hwan Park,et al.  Discolouration of the brain as the only remarkable autopsy finding in hydrogen sulphide poisoning. , 2009, Forensic science international.

[5]  Amanda Truscott.  Suicide fad threatens neighbours, rescuers , 2008, Canadian Medical Association Journal.

[6]  M. Ago,et al.  Two fatalities by hydrogen sulfide poisoning: variation of pathological and toxicological findings. , 2008, Legal medicine.

[7]  Kanya Kobayashi,et al.  [Suicidal poisoning due to hydrogen sulfide produced by mixing a liquid bath essence containing sulfur and a toilet bowl cleaner containing hydrochloric acid]. , 2008, Chudoku kenkyu : Chudoku Kenkyukai jun kikanshi = The Japanese journal of toxicology.

[8]  L. Oesterhelweg,et al.  Phenomenological and morphological aspects of fatalities caused by manure gas , 2008 .

[9]  C. Bartoli,et al.  Fatal occupational inhalation of hydrogen sulfide. , 2007, Forensic science international.

[10]  J. Rinard,et al.  Acute hydrogen sulfide poisoning in a dairy farmer , 2007, Clinical toxicology.

[11]  D. Savary,et al.  Intoxication accidentelle mortelle par hydrogène sulfuré , 2005 .

[12]  Laura D. Knight,et al.  Death by Sewer Gas: Case Report of a Double Fatality and Review of the Literature , 2005, The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology.

[13]  E. Querellou,et al.  [Fatal outcome of an hydrogen sulfide poisoning]. , 2005, Annales francaises d'anesthesie et de reanimation.

[14]  Robert G Hendrickson,et al.  Co-worker fatalities from hydrogen sulfide. , 2004, American journal of industrial medicine.

[15]  K. Shimada,et al.  Bronchial injury and pulmonary edema caused by hydrogen sulfide poisoning. , 1999, The American journal of emergency medicine.

[16]  T. H. Milby,et al.  Hydrogen sulfide poisoning: clarification of some controversial issues. , 1999, American journal of industrial medicine.

[17]  K. Kudo,et al.  The usefulness of thiosulfate as an indicator of hydrogen sulfide poisoning: three cases , 1997, International Journal of Legal Medicine.

[18]  T. Murphy,et al.  Volatile sulfides and their toxicity in freshwater sediments , 1995 .

[19]  P. Kintz,et al.  Intoxication mortelle par l'hydrogène sulfuré , 1991 .

[20]  H. Savolainen,et al.  Urinary thiosulphate as an indicator of exposure to hydrogen sulphide vapour. , 1987, Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry.

[21]  J. Popp,et al.  A critical review of the literature on hydrogen sulfide toxicity. , 1984, Critical reviews in toxicology.

[22]  L. Adelson,et al.  Fatal hydrogen sulfide intoxication. Report of three cases occurring in a sewer. , 1966, Archives of pathology.