RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Fatal methane and cyanide poisoning as a result of handling industrial fish: a case report and review of the literature
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 794
OP 795
DO 10.1136/jcp.53.10.794
VO 53
IS 10
A1 Cherian, M A
A1 Richmond, I
YR 2000
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/53/10/794.abstract
AB The potential health hazards of handling industrial fish are well documented. Wet fish in storage consume oxygen and produce poisonous gases as they spoil. In addition to oxygen depletion, various noxious agents have been demonstrated in association with spoilage including carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ammonia. A fatal case of methane and cyanide poisoning among a group of deep sea trawler men is described. Subsequent independent investigation as a result of this case led to the discovery of cyanides as a further potential noxious agent. This is thus the first case in which cyanide poisoning has been recognised as a potentially fatal complication of handling spoiled fish. The previous literature is reviewed and the implications of the current case are discussed.