Fatality due to inhalation of dimethyl sulfide in a confined space: A case report and animal experiments

Terazawa, Koichi; Wu, Bin; Takatori, Takehiko

doi:10.1007/bf01369718

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Terazawa et al. [ 20 ] reported a fatal case due to inhalation of DMS in a confined space. In the atmosphere of the confined space, MT was present at a concentration of less than 10×10 −6 , DMS was present at several ppm and DMDS was present at less than 1×10 −6 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening for volatile sulphur compounds in a fatal accident case

Xiang

Qiang

Shen

et al. 2017

Forensic Sciences Research

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Acute fatal poisoning due to the inhalation of toxic gas frequently occurs in China. Volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) are toxic to humans. In fatal poisoning investigations, such as those in industrial settings, a number of VSCs, including methanethiol (MT), dimethyl sulphide (DMS), dimethyl disulphide (DMDS) and dimethyl trisulphide (DMTS), can coexist. To date, there is limited data regarding these compounds in post-mortem cases. In the present study, we report toxicological findings in a fatal accident case with two victims. Headspace gas chromatography/flame ionization detector with two columns of different polarities was utilized to screen MT, DMS, DMDS and DMTS in blood. The limits of detection in both methods were 0.05 mg/mL. No sulphur compounds were detected in the blood samples of the two victims. DMS and DMDS were detected in the lungs at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.3 mg/g and 2.2 and 4.1 mg/g, respectively. DMDS liver concentrations were 2.5 and 6.5 mg/g. In addition to hydrogen sulphide, screening for additional VSCs could help establish the cause of death.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Screening for volatile sulphur compounds in a fatal accident case

Xiang

Qiang

Shen

et al. 2017

Forensic Sciences Research

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“…100 DMS has an exceptionally low odour detection threshold, meaning that it is detectably malodorous even at very low concentrations (24-100 ppb). 53 The gas can be fatally noxious 101 and it is also a mild skin and eye irritant, 102 although even at the pathological concentrations reported in disease this is probably not a feature.…”

Section: Dimethyl Sulphide In Vivo Behaviour: Synthesis Metabolism mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dimethylsulphidemia: the significance of dimethyl sulphide in extra-oral, blood borne halitosis

Harvey-Woodworth¹

2013

Br Dent J

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Halitosis is a symptom and not a diagnosis. Rather, the topic represents a spectrum of disorders, including intra-oral, otorhinolaryngological, metabolic, systemic, pulmonary, psychological and neurological conditions. Halitosis may be the third most common trigger for patients to seek dental care and can cause significant impact on patient quality of life. About 10% of all genuine halitosis cases are attributed to extra-oral processes. Some authorities have reported that the nasal cavity and the oropharynx are the most common sites of origin of extra-oral halitosis. However, recent evidence appears to suggest that blood borne halitosis may be the most common subtype of extra-oral halitosis. Tangerman and Winkel report that dimethyl sulphide was the main volatile implicated in extra-oral blood borne halitosis. They proposed a hitherto unknown metabolic condition by way of explanation for this finding, resulting in systemic presence of dimethyl sulphide in blood and alveolar breath. This paper reviews the knowledge base regarding the behaviour of dimethyl sulphide in physiological systems and those disorders in which blood borne halitosis secondary to dimethylsulphidemia is thought to have an aetiopathological role.

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“…One was deceased when found and the other died one and a half days later. Though MM and DMS were both potentially present, blood analysis revealed DMS as the primary inhaled gas [ 39 ••]. Autopsy results and accompanying animal investigations suggest that the cause of death was due to asphyxia due to displacement of atmospheric oxygen by the DMS gas [ 39 ••].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural gas odorants: A scoping review of health effects

Michanowicz¹,

Leventhal²,

Domen³

et al. 2023

Curr Envir Health Rpt

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Purpose of Review Organosulfur compounds are intentionally added to natural gas as malodorants with the intent of short-term nasal inhalation to aid in leak detection. Regulatory exposure limits have not been established for all commonly used natural gas odorants, and recent community-level exposure events and growing evidence of indoor natural gas leakage have raised concerns associated with natural gas odorant exposures. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed scientific publications on human exposures and animal toxicological studies of natural gas odorants to assess toxicological profiles, exposure potential, health effects and regulatory guidelines associated with commonly used natural gas odorants. Recent Findings We identified only 22 studies which met inclusion criteria for full review. Overall, there is limited evidence of both transient nonspecific health symptoms and clinically diagnosed causative neurotoxic effects associated with prolonged odorant exposures. Across seven community-level exposure events and two occupational case reports, consistent symptom patterns included: headache, ocular irritation, nose and throat irritation, respiratory complaints such as shortness of breath and asthma attacks, and skin irritation and rash. Of these, respiratory inflammation and asthma exacerbations are the most debilitating, whereas the high prevalence of ocular and dermatologic symptoms suggest a non-inhalation route of exposure. Summary The limited evidence available raises the possibility that organosulfur odorants may pose health risks at exposures much lower than presently understood, though additional dose-response studies are needed to disentangle specific toxicologic effects from nonspecific responses to noxious organosulfur odors. Numerous recommendations are provided including more transparent and prescriptive natural gas odorant use practices.

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Fatality due to inhalation of dimethyl sulfide in a confined space: A case report and animal experiments

Cited by 8 publications

References 7 publications

Screening for volatile sulphur compounds in a fatal accident case

Screening for volatile sulphur compounds in a fatal accident case

Dimethylsulphidemia: the significance of dimethyl sulphide in extra-oral, blood borne halitosis

Natural gas odorants: A scoping review of health effects

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