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Fatal methane and cyanide poisoning as a result of handling industrial fish: a case report and review of the literature

¹ Department of Pathology, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, North Humberside, HU16 5JQ, UK

Dr Cherian The potential health hazards of handling industrial fish are well documented. Wet fish in storage consume oxygen and produce poisonous gases as they spoil. In addition to oxygen depletion, various noxious agents have been demonstrated in association with spoilage including carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and ammonia. A fatal case of methane and cyanide poisoning among a group of deep sea trawler men is described. Subsequent independent investigation as a result of this case led to the discovery of cyanides as a further potential noxious agent. This is thus the first case in which cyanide poisoning has been recognised as a potentially fatal complication of handling spoiled fish. The previous literature is reviewed and the implications of the current case are discussed.

Key Words: industrial fish • methane • cyanide