Fatal addiction to trichloroethylene.

Trichloroethylene inhalation is a common industrial hazard that involves a risk of addiction. In the present case there was evidence of indulgence of addiction at work but not at home. The medical history suggested permanent paresis of the olfactory nerves in addition to intermittent gastric disturbance. Sudden death, not preceded by severe physical exertion, occurred some 17 hours after the last known exposure to the vapour. There was fatty degeneration of the liver and old and recent lung haemorrhages. Trichloroethylene was isolated from the tissues. The urine contained a large amount of trichloroacetic acid.