ACUTE POISONING WITH SODIUM FLUOROACETATE (COMPOUND 1080)

Abstract

Since the report of Kalmbach1on the rodenticide activity of fluoroacetate (compound 1080) this compound has been extensively used by government agencies, the armed forces, and privately employed exterminators. In spite of its high toxicity to all species, relatively few cases of human poisonings have been reported so far, none of which have ended fatally.2All of the victims took small, but unidentified, quantities of fluoroacetate. The toxic dose for human beings has not been established, but on the basis of animal studies it has been theorized as being approximately 5 mg. per kilogram of body weight. The case reported here ended fatally, pathological examination was performed, and the quantities of fluoroacetate in the organs were determined. For the experimental literature on fluoroacetate we may refer the reader to the recent reviews by Chenoweth3and by us.4 REPORT OF CASE A white man, about 40 years