US EPA

1179870 

Journal Article 

An alleged poisoning with methanol and formaldehyde (vol 18, 88, 1999) 

Sidhu, KS; Sidhu, JS 

1999 

Yes 

International Journal of Toxicology
ISSN: 1091-5818
EISSN: 1092-874X 

18 

3 

229-229 

WOS:000080066500011 

It was alleged that the defendant added some undyed formalin to the victim's bottle of ice and drinking water. The medical report indicated that except for a slight elevation of creatinine kinase, all other chemical profiles were within normal ranges. The elevation of creatinine kinase indicates muscle injury, however, the significance of this elevation in this case is not clear. Toxicological evaluations were made by conducting risk assessments. Based upon the medical report and risk assessments the following conclusions were made: The calculated exposure doses of methanol and formaldehyde were too low to cause appreciable adverse effects; however, formaldehyde may have irritated the gastrointestinal tract and caused inflammation. The doses were too low to cause death of the victim. The exposure scenario (a single oral exposure to formaldehyde) will not increase the cancer risk in the alleged victim. The risk assessments provided resulted in a reduction in charge from attempted murder to a felony.