Formic acid poisoning with suicidal intent: a report of 53 cases

Abstract

Summary A report of 53 cases of formic acid ingestion with suicidal intention is presented. The patients were seen in one hospital in Kerala State over a 3 year period. Fifteen patients died and 38 patients survived. The pattern of clinical features seen is presented.

Suicidal chemistry: combined intoxication with carbon monoxide and formic acid

“…Histology analysis (Table 1) determined a complete lack of the respiratory epithelium of the trachea, edema of mucosa and submucosa of the trachea, thrombi and hemolysis inside the small vessels of the trachea, pulmonary edema, hemolysis and thrombosis in the lung vessels. These findings are connected with formic acid injury to the tissue and the effect on the coagulation system [6,19,20]. On the other hand, there were no significant injuries to the gastrointestinal tract.…”

Death due to adult respiratory distress syndrome following assault with 'rubber acid'; could it have been averted?

“…Due to the volatile nature of the acid, respiratory complications, such as toxic pneumonitis have been reported in patients who presented with formic acid ingestion 15,16 . Mathew and Dalus studied 302 patients admitted with formic acid ingestion and found that 44% had respiratory distress, 70.2% had metabolic acidosis, 47.4% had aspiration pneumonia, 33.8% had ARDS and 25.5% had chemical pneumonitis 17 .…”

Acute Formic Acid Poisoning: A Case Series Analysis with Current Management Protocols and Review of Literature

“…1 The latex is a sticky, milky colloid drawn off by making incisions into the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels in a process called 'tapping'. 1 It is then refined into rubber ready for commercial processing.…”

“…1 The latex is a sticky, milky colloid drawn off by making incisions into the bark and collecting the fluid in vessels in a process called 'tapping'. 1 It is then refined into rubber ready for commercial processing. 1 Latex is generally processed into either latex concentrate for manufacture of dipped goods or it can be coagulated under controlled, clean conditions using formic acid (rubber acid, FA).…”

“…1 It is then refined into rubber ready for commercial processing. 1 Latex is generally processed into either latex concentrate for manufacture of dipped goods or it can be coagulated under controlled, clean conditions using formic acid (rubber acid, FA). 1 So, FA is easily available and can be misused for deli berate selfharm and more commonly accidental inges tion as it is a colorless and odorless in dilute form.…”