Death from inhalant abuse: toxicological and pathological evaluation of 34 cases.

Thirty-four cases of death related to the deliberate inhalation of various solvents or gases were studied regarding the toxicology and pathology of this phenomenon. A method was developed for detection of these agents in blood and other autopsy specimens, utilizing flame ionization gas chromatography. The detection in the blood of components of the products inhaled usually confirmed the recent use of the substances. Death was usually sudden, occurring during or shortly after use of the inhalants, and was consistent with the development of cardiac arrhythmias. Of the cases available for histological evaluation, liver damage was apparent in some cases.