A Lethal Case of Sodium Azide Ingestion

아지드화 나트륨(sodium azide) 음독 후 사망한 1례

  • Nam, Yeoun-Woo (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Jung-Eon (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Cho, Jun-Ho (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Chung, Sung-Pil (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Hahn-Shick (Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Eui-Chung (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, The Pocheon CHA University)
  • 남연우 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 김정언 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 조준호 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 정성필 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이한식 (연세대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 김의중 (포천중문의과대학 분당차병원 응급의학과)
  • Published : 2008.06.12

Abstract

Sodium azide (NaN3) is a white to colorless, crystalline powder that is highly water soluble, tasteless, and odorless. It is used mainly as a preservative in aqueous laboratory reagents and biologic fluids and also as an automobile airbag gas generant. Although it has caused deaths for decades, the toxic properties and effects of sodium azide in humans remains unknown. A 31-year-old comatose female was transported to the emergency department with an empty bottle labeled sodium azide. She developed cardiac arrest 15 minutes after arrival and expired in spite of 30 minutes of resuscitative effort. Subsequently, resuscitation team members incidentally suffered from sodium azide's exposure and developed eye discomfort, skin rashes parasthesias, pruritus, sore throat, and headache.

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