Abstract:
Objective To investigate an acute dimethoxymethane (DMM) poisoning accident, analyze causes of death, and put forward preventive measures to avoid similar poisoning accidents.
Methods Patients' information was collected using questionnaires, such as occupational history, medical history, and corresponding diagnosis and treatment for the current DMM poisoning, and in-patient medical records were reviewed. In addition, a field investigation on occupational health hazards was conducted where the accident was located.
Results The air concentration of DDM in the accident site was 2 271.1 mg/m3. One patient was diagnosed with subacute severe toxic encephalopathy (DDM), and died after symptomatic treatment for two weeks.
Conclusion The main cause of the poisoning accident lies in absence of effective protective measures due to the employers' la ck of awareness of potential hazards of DDM.