A 13-year-old male was found dead in the woods subsequent to 1,1,1-tri
chloroethane (TCE) inhalation. Autopsy findings included tissue conges
tion of lung, liver and kidney. Certain precautions were taken in coll
ecting and storing biological samples in order to prevent loss of TCE
by evaporation. The availability of volatile solvents coupled with the
increase of volatile substance abuse makes it easy for abusers to obt
ain. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.