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Acute selenium poisoning: suicide by ingestion.
Donna M Hunsaker1, Henry A Spiller, David Williams
1Office of the Chief Medial Examiner, Urban Govermnent Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40204, USA. stinknlex@aol.com
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|August 5, 2005
Summary
Fatal selenium poisoning is rare but can rapidly cause severe symptoms and death. This case highlights the importance of toxicological analysis in diagnosing acute selenium intoxication, even in suicide cases.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Selenium is an essential dietary element and industrial chemical.
- Fatal selenium intoxication is uncommon.
Observation:
- A 24-year-old man presented with acute selenium intoxication symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, pulmonary edema, and cardiovascular collapse.
- Electrocardiographic changes such as sinus tachycardia with ST wave alteration were noted.
Findings:
- Toxicological tests confirmed elevated blood and tissue selenium concentrations.
- The cause of death was rapid, acute selenium intoxication following oral ingestion.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical role of comprehensive toxicological analysis of biological samples in diagnosing selenium poisoning.
- It emphasizes the potential for rapid fatality from acute selenium exposure.