Fluorocarbon toxicity: aerosol deaths and anaesthetic reactions

Twelve cases of death due to fluorocarbon inhalation have been seen in a four year period 1971-1975. The source of the material has been commercial spray cans. The postmortem examinations are nonspecific, but a history of excitement or sudden death is often elicited. Confirmation of the cause of death was made by demonstration of a halogenated hydrocarbon in the blood by gas chromatography.