Intoxication aiguë par le sulfate de diméthyle en milieu industriel: Deux observations

Abstract

Summary Two cases of acute dimethyl sulfate poisoning in 54- and 55-year old workers respectively are described. The first case followed accidental spilling from a tank in a pharmaceutical plant; the duration of exposu re to the vapors did not exceeded five minutes. The second involved the cutting-up of a presumed empty pipe in a chemical factory, which resulted in a splash of dimethyl sulfate on the face and body. The main clinical features included keratoconjunctivitis, laryngeal burns, delayed chemically-induced bronchopneumonitjs and toxic pulmonary edema. All of these events are linked to the hydrolysis of the compound into sulfuric acid following contact with body tissues. The review of published case reports underlines the importance of dimethyl sulfate-induced ocular and respiratory toxicity, which should be known to emergency physicians.