A Lethal Case of Sodium Azide Ingestion.
- Author:
Yeoun Woo NAM
1
;
Jung Eon KIM
;
Junho CHO
;
Sung Pil CHUNG
;
Hahn Shick LEE
;
Eui Chung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. emjh@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Sodium azide;
Ingestion;
Deaths
- MeSH:
Adult;
Air Bags;
Automobiles;
Coma;
Crystallins;
Eating;
Emergencies;
Exanthema;
Eye;
Female;
Headache;
Heart Arrest;
Humans;
Indicators and Reagents;
Pharyngitis;
Pruritus;
Resuscitation;
Sodium;
Sodium Azide
- From:Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
2008;6(1):49-51
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sodium azide (NaN3) is a white to colorless, crystalline powder that is highly water soluble, tasteless, and odorless. It is used mainly as a preservative in aqueous laboratory reagents and biologic fluids and also as an automobile airbag gas generant. Although it has caused deaths for decades, the toxic properties and effects of sodium azide in humans remains unknown. A 31-year-old comatose female was transported to the emergency department with an empty bottle labeled sodium azide. She developed cardiac arrest 15 minutes after arrival and expired in spite of 30 minutes of resuscitative effort. Subsequently, resuscitation team members incidentally suffered from sodium azide's exposure and developed eye discomfort, skin rashes parasthesias, pruritus, sore throat, and headache.
