Korean J Leg Med.  2016 Nov;40(4):133-137. 10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.4.133.

Death Related to the Dehumidifying Agent

• Chung YM
• Kim HJ
• Park JH
• Yang KM

• KMID: 2361335
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.4.133

Abstract

Dehumidifying agents are commonly used to remove moisture and odors and are not meant for oral ingestion. The hazards of accidental oral ingestion of dehumidifying agents are not well known. A 31-year-old man with autism drank the liquid desiccant contained in the barrel of a dehumidifier while sleepwalking. The desiccant mainly consisted of calcium chloride. He was taken to the emergency center with persistent vomiting and underwent gastric lavage. The patient was treated for hypercalcemia due to calcium chloride poisoning. He eventually died of multiple organ failure. Autopsy findings were as follows: acute suppurative pneumonia, intra-abdominal inflammation, liver necrosis, acute pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Calcium chloride has relatively low toxicity; however, when ingested orally, it can cause severe internal damage, and even death. We suggest active preventive measures to ensure the safe use of dehumidifying agents.

Keyword

Calcium chloride; Hypercalcemia; Silica gel; Autopsy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Autistic Disorder
Autopsy
Calcium Chloride
Eating
Emergencies
Gastric Lavage
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Humans
Hypercalcemia
Inflammation
Liver
Multiple Organ Failure
Necrosis
Odors
Pancreatitis
Pneumonia
Poisoning
Silica Gel
Somnambulism
Vomiting
Calcium Chloride
Silica Gel

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Intra-abdominal turbid exudate. (B) Acute suppurative inflammation, hemorrhage, necrotic change in omentum.

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  Fig. 2. (A) Diffuse necrotic area in liver. (B) Acute pancreatitis. (C) Hemorrhage in stomach mucosa.

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