An Epidemic of Antifreeze Poisoning

Abstract

An incident is reported in which seven young garage employees consumed an antifreeze solution containing ethylene glycol, mistaking it for cherry brandy: one died and a second required haemodialysis. Within the succeeding few months, 11 persons were admitted to hospitals in the same locality having deliberately consumed antifreeze and of these, five were fatal. A brief review of the history and features of ethylene glycol poisoning is given and attention is drawn to the possible adverse effects of publicity given to unusual forms of death.