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Acute High Dose Toxicity of 1,4-Dioxane Following Occupational Exposure - A Clinical and an Autopsy Perspective


Affiliations
1 Department of Pathology, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India
     

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1,4-Dioxane is a cyclic ether with a molecular formula of C4H8O2. It is used as a solvent and degreasing agent in industries like textile, paints, varnishes, oil, dyes etc. Occupational exposure can occur in the industrial workers. Absorption of 1,4-Dioxane usually occurs by inhalation, oral or dermal routes. Exposure to high doses is associated with severe kidney and liver damage. We report a fatal case of acute high dose toxicity of 1,4-Dioxane following occupational exposure. The deceased was exposed to the chemical while washing large industrial tanks containing 1,4-Dioxane. Autopsy examination revealed extensive renal cortical necrosis, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, pulmonary oedema and intra-alveolar haemorrhages. This case had medico-legal implications and a lawsuit was filed by the family of the deceased to get compensation for death due to occupational exposure.

Keywords

1,4-Dioxane, Renal Cortical Necrosis, Centrilobular Hepatic Necrosis.
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  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hazardous Substances Data Bank. National Toxicology Information Program, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD. 1993.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. p-Dioxane Health Advisory. Office of Drinking Water, Washington, DC. 1987.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and DiseaseRegistry (ATSDR). 2012. “Toxicological Profile for 1,4-Dioxane.”
  • Young JD, Braun WH, Gehring PJ, et al. 1976. Short Communication. 1,4-dioxane and betahydroxyoxyacetic acid excretion in urine of humans exposed to dioxane vapors. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 38:643-646.
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  • Acute High Dose Toxicity of 1,4-Dioxane Following Occupational Exposure - A Clinical and an Autopsy Perspective

Abstract Views: 487  |  PDF Views: 5

Authors

Dimpi R. Ohri
Department of Pathology, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India
Gwendolyn C. Fernandes
Department of Pathology, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

Abstract


1,4-Dioxane is a cyclic ether with a molecular formula of C4H8O2. It is used as a solvent and degreasing agent in industries like textile, paints, varnishes, oil, dyes etc. Occupational exposure can occur in the industrial workers. Absorption of 1,4-Dioxane usually occurs by inhalation, oral or dermal routes. Exposure to high doses is associated with severe kidney and liver damage. We report a fatal case of acute high dose toxicity of 1,4-Dioxane following occupational exposure. The deceased was exposed to the chemical while washing large industrial tanks containing 1,4-Dioxane. Autopsy examination revealed extensive renal cortical necrosis, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, pulmonary oedema and intra-alveolar haemorrhages. This case had medico-legal implications and a lawsuit was filed by the family of the deceased to get compensation for death due to occupational exposure.

Keywords


1,4-Dioxane, Renal Cortical Necrosis, Centrilobular Hepatic Necrosis.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.22506/ti%2F2016%2Fv23%2Fi2%2F146705