Abstract

We report a fatal case of hydrofluoric acid (HF) ingestion with suicidal intent. Quantitation using an ion-selective electrode for fluoride in fresh bile, gastric contents, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, urine, and vitreous humor yielded 6.5, 39.0, 10.0, 6.0, 4.5, 5.0, and 4.5 ppm, respectively. In addition to the unfixed specimens, fluoride ion was measured in the following fixed tissue: brain, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, and heart. Tissues were measured directly and/or by using the technique of standard addition. Fluoride concentrations using either method were found to be comparable. Fluoride concentration in fresh tissue was consistent with toxicity, although the urine fluoride concentration was in the range observed for asymptomatic workers exposed to fluoride in air. Fixed tissue preparations revealed fluoride concentrations consistent with nonexposure, whereas examination of the formalin fixative revealed fluoride concentrations only slightly higher than negative control formalin. We conclude that fixed tissues are inappropriate for fluoride determination. This is the first case we are aware of that provides fluoride concentrations in skeletal muscle in a fatality involving HF ingestion.

• Related Studies :

  • Environmental Fluoride 1977 by Rose & Marier

    The Associate Committee on Scientific Criteria for Environmental Quality was established by the National Research Council of Canada in response to a mandate provided by the Federal Government to develop scientific guidelines for defining the quality of the environment. The concern of the NRC Associate Committee is strictly with scientific

  • Systematic impacts of fluoride exposure on the metabolomics of rats.

    Highlights The risk of chronic endemic fluorosis exists in many countries and regions. Comprehensive metabolomic analysis was used to study the effects of fluoride. Multivariate statistics were used to detect metabolite profile changes. Fluoride exposure caused amino acid, fatty acid, and energy metabolism disorders. Fluoride exposure caused oxidative stress,

  • The tissue distribution of fluoride in a fatal case of self-poisoning.

    The purpose of this paper is to report a case of fluoride poisoning along with a discussion of poisoning characteristics, analytical procedures, and a review of previous reports of fatal intoxications with analytical data. A case of suicidal ingestion of 40 mL of a rust removal agent containing hydrofluoric acid

  • Histological and chemical studies in man on effects of fluoride

    The presence of elevated concentrations of fluorides in the atmosphere has been associated with changes in certain plants and an increase in the fluoride content of forage in certain areas in Utah. Long-term ingestion of such forage by some animals has produced changes characteristic of fluorosis in some of them.

  • Fluoride effects on glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation in rats.

    SUMMARY: Eight-week old male Wistar rats weighing 180 g were given sodium fluoride in drinking water at a concentration of 5 and 25 mg F–/L for 12 weeks. Control animals received tap water containing 0.3 mg F–/L. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and the concentration of malondialdehye (MDA) were determined

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride & Arteriosclerosis

    Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, allowing efficient transfer of blood and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of the arteries, including loss of elasticity. This is a slow, progressive disease that may begin early in life from damage to the

  • NRC (2006): Fluoride's Neurotoxicity and Neurobehavioral Effects

    The NRC's analysis on fluoride and the brain.

  • Fluoride & IQ: 76 Studies

    • As of July 18, 2022, a total of 85 human studies have investigated the relationship between fluoride and human intelligence. • Of these investigations, 76 studies have reported that elevated fluoride exposure is associated with reduced IQ in humans. • The studies which reported an association of reduced IQ with exposure

  • Fluoride, Blood Pressure and Hypertension

    Individuals with blood pressure readings that exceed 140/90 are considered hypertensive. Hypertension can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, and peripheral arterial disease. An association between increased fluoride in ground water and increased prevalence of hypertension has been observed, especially among adult males (Amini et

  • Fluoride & Electrocardiogram Abnormalities

    An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. An ECG can reveal heart rate, heart rhythym (i.e. steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the heart’s natural electrical signals. ECGs are described in terms of “waves” (e.g. amplitude and duration). Problems