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Types of Toxins

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Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction

Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction

Published on: January 12, 2020

A fatal intoxication by chloroprene.

Annette Rickert¹, Benno Hartung, Bernd Kardel

¹Institute of Legal Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University, PO Box 10 10 07, D-40001 Duesseldorf, Germany. rickerta@uni-duesseldorf.de

Forensic Science International

|April 23, 2011

Summary

A fatal chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3 butadiene) exposure case highlights the chemical

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Occupational Health
Environmental Chemistry

Background:

Chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3 butadiene) is a reactive volatile synthetic liquid used in Neoprene production.
Acute lethal human exposure to chloroprene is rare, with documented effects including central nervous system depression and respiratory arrest.

Observation:

A 29-year-old worker was found unconscious in a vessel used for chloroprene.
Despite resuscitation efforts, the worker died three hours later.
Autopsy revealed unspecific findings, necessitating toxicological analysis.

Findings:

Toxicological analysis detected chloroprene in most tissues and body fluids, with highest concentrations in the brain, kidney, liver, and myocardial muscle.
Hexanal was also found in significant amounts in lung, bile, gastric content, and myocardial muscle.

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The presence of chloroprene in tissues suggested both inhalation and dermal absorption, despite the use of a respiratory mask.

Implications:

This case underscores the severe toxicity of chloroprene and the critical importance of adhering to workplace safety protocols.
The findings suggest potential for significant dermal absorption of chloroprene, even when respiratory protection is used.
Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of hexanal in chloroprene toxicity.