An Accidental Overspill: A Case Report of Fatal Paraquat Poisoning by Dermal Absorption

Abstract

Introduction: Paraquat dichloride is a widely used, highly toxic herbicide which is sold as a brownish concentrated liquid of 10–30% strength. Due to easy availability and no specific antidote, numerous fatal cases of paraquat poisoning by ingestion have been reported accidently or with a suicidal intent.Case description: A 30 year old alcoholic man who unintentionally consumed poison in an inebriated state leading to spillage over the unhealed skin lesions over neck and chest area, who presented to hospital emergency 5 days after the exposure with complaints of breathlessness and reddish skin lesions and subsequently died over the course of treatment. Discussion: The findings of this case highlight fatal systemic effects caused by accidental spillage over dermal lesions leading to respiratory and renal failure. This signifies the magnitude of dermal absorption and the measures to avoid a minimal exposure turning into a hazardous event