AN UNUSUAL EXPOSURE TO METHYL-BROMIDE LEADING TO FATALITY

Introduction: Methyl bromide has been responsible for deaths that usua lly occur from its accidental inhalation during fumigation. Case Repor t: We report an accidental fatality that occurred after methyl bromide seeped through underground conduits from a fumigated building to an a djacent guest house on the same property. The patient developed refrac tory seizures, intermittent fever, and multiorgan system failure befor e dying 19 days after exposure. The initial serum bromide was 27 mg/dL . Postmortem analysis detected methyl bromide concentrations of 2.9 mg /dL in the blood, 1.7 mg/dL in the bile, 24 mu g/g in the liver, and 2 8 mu g/g in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Methyl bromide, although a pplied under acceptable safety standards, led to the inadvertent death of a young woman. Extreme care must be used when fumigating to insure no unsuspected seepage routes exist.