Fatal methane and cyanide poisoning as a result of handling industrial fish: a case report and review of the literature

The potential health hazards of handling industrial fish are well documente d. Wet fish in storage consume oxygen and produce poisonous gases as they s poil. In addition to oxygen depletion, various noxious agents have been dem onstrated in association with spoilage including carbon dioxide, sulphur di oxide, and ammonia. A fatal case of methane and cyanide poisoning among a g roup of deep sea trawler men is described. Subsequent independent investiga tion 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 pois oning has been recognised as a potentially fatal complication of handling s poiled fish. The previous literature is reviewed and the implications of th e current case are discussed.