Aim: To analyse cases, find correlation and compare results with other Departments in the future.
Introduction: Non-consumable alcohols – ethylene glycol, methanol, isopropanol and acetone – are the products of everyday use, though cases of lethal poisoning are not very frequent. They may be found in mixture with comestible ethanol.
Methods: The subject of the study was 50 lethal cases (8 women), which had been caused by direct or indirect poisoning connected with consumption substances in the period 2007–2016 in the material of the Department of Forensic Medicine in Cracow.
Results: The mean of cases for study period is 5,1 cases/year, with the notable rise of incidents in 2012 (16). Methanol poisonings were reported in 23 cases (46%), with the prevalence of men (78.3%). The blood concentration in both sexes ranged from 0.45mg/l to 5340mg/l. In period 24.10.2012–07.01.2013 the highest frequency of methanol poisoning was observed. It is linked to 2012 Czech methanol poisoning scandal, and influence of this event on Polish alcohol market. Ethylene glycol poisonings are reported in 9 cases (1 woman). The concentrations of alcohol in blood of males varied from 8mg/l to 5710mg/l; in female was 96.7mg/l. The average age of victims was 45.6 years. Isopropanol and acetone poisonings were observed in 17 cases. The concentration of isopropanol ranged from 160 to 5589mg/l. It is worth noticing, that acetone may partially be a product of metabolic transformation of isopropanol. The average age of victims is 45.6 years.
Conclusion: The vast majority of lethal non-consumable alcohol poisonings of victims were adult men with chronic overconsumption of alcohol. Nevertheless, some mean blood alcohol concentrations in women are comparable to those in men. There is an obvious time correlation between lethal alcohol poisonings and information about non-consumable alcohol appearance on the market.