Recreational Exposure of Liquified Petroleum Gas: Case report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Introduction: LPG, a combination of aliphatic hydrocarbon gases, is utilized as a source of fuel for cooking appliances and vehicles. LPG mainly comprises butane (80%) and propane (20%), which are combustible gases, along with small concentrations of propylene and butylene. Mercaptans are included in the mixture to enable easy detection of any gas leakage due to their unpleasant smell. Because propane gas is heavier than air, it tends to settle at floor level. Due to the non-specific and diverse nature of its signs and symptoms, the timely and accurate diagnosis of LPG poisoning remains challenging. Due to easy access to LPG, there has been an increase incidence of its use for suicidal purposes and abuse. The current case report focuses on the effects of the abuse potential of LPG and its toxic effects. Case Report: In this case report, four individuals of same family (19 yrs, 23 yrs, 24 yrs, 25 yrs old brothers) who have abused LPG for recreational purpose under alcoholic intoxication and subsequently, of four of them three individuals showed acute toxic myocarditis with ECG changes and elevated cardiac biomarkers, hypoxia, neurological manifestations such as generalized weakness, unconsciousness. The fourth person was brought dead to casualty and it was determined that approximately 22% of the people who used inhalants died during their first use. Sudden deaths are usually caused by abuse of butane, propane, or butane/propane mixture and it is due to cardiac arrhythmia. Conclusion: The gas mixture of propane butane is among the most lethal inhalant substances. The substance abuse is increasing especially in adolescents and young adults. The public population must be educated about dangers of this gas abuse and its bad outcomes and should be recommended to stay away from it.