Sudden death caused by 1,1-difluoroethane inhalation
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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Zhenggang Xiong1, Joseph Avella, Charles V Wetli
1Department of Pathology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA. zhxiong@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Abstract:
A 20-year-old man was found dead on the floor next to a computer, with a nearly full can of "CRC Duster" dust remover located next to the deceased on the floor, and an empty can of the same product on the computer desk. Toxicologic evaluation using either gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) method identified the active ingredient 1,1-difluoroethane (Freon 152a) in all tissues analyzed. Tissue distribution studies revealed highest concentration in central blood, lung, and liver. It is believed that the 1,1-difluoroethane inhalation was the cause of death.
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