Chloroform toxicity

Background

• Chloroform (Trichloromethane) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon
• Solvent used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries

Mechanism of Toxicity

• CNS depressant
• Hepatic and renal toxicity via free radical formation
• Arrhythmogenesis
• Carcinogenesis

Clinical Presentation

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Confusion
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Coma
• Renal/Hepatic impairment

Evaluation

• Based on clinical presentation
• Specific levels rarely available

Management

• Decontamination
• Avoid sympathomimetics like epinephrine which may trigger arrhythmia
• N-acetylcysteine may minimize renal and hepatic toxicity

References

• Olson, K. Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 1999.