Intravenous and oral suicidal e-liquid poisonings with confirmed nicotine and cotinine concentrations

Introduction:
This text describes two cases of suicidal poisoning using e-liquid, a solution used in electronic cigarettes to produce nicotine-laced aerosol. The cases are presented to raise awareness about the potential dangers of e-liquid and the importance of regulating its availability and usage.

Key Points:

* E-liquid contains nicotine, which can be harmful or fatal if ingested or injected in large quantities.
* The two cases described are suicidal poisonings, one through oral consumption and the other through intravenous injection.
* The text provides details about the patients' symptoms, the concentrations of nicotine and cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) in their blood, and the treatment they received.
* The oral poisoning case involved a patient who ingested 30 mL of e-liquid with a nicotine concentration of 12 mg/mL, resulting in a nicotine dose of 6.0 mg/kg body weight.
* The intravenous poisoning case involved a patient who injected himself with 4 mL of e-liquid with a nicotine concentration of 32.2 mg/mL, resulting in a nicotine dose of 1.7 mg/kg body weight.
* The text also highlights the lack of regulation and oversight of e-liquid and electronic cigarettes, which can make them easily accessible to children and vulnerable individuals.
* The text emphasizes the need for regulation and oversight of e-liquid and electronic cigarettes to prevent accidental or intentional poisonings and ensure public safety.

Main Message:
This text highlights the potential dangers of e-liquid and electronic cigarettes, particularly if they are not regulated or used properly. The two cases of suicidal poisoning demonstrate the risks associated with nicotine and the importance of ensuring that e-liquid is not easily accessible to children or vulnerable individuals. The text underscores the need for regulation and oversight of e-liquid and electronic cigarettes to prevent accidental or intentional poisonings and ensure public safety. It is crucial that regulatory agencies and policymakers take action to address these risks and protect the public.

Sommerfeld, Karina, Magdalena Łukasik-Głębocka, Maksymilian Kulza, Artur Drużdż, Paweł Panieński, Ewa Florek, and Barbara Zielińska-Psuja. “Intravenous and Oral Suicidal E-Liquid Poisonings with Confirmed Nicotine and Cotinine Concentrations.” Forensic Science International 262 (May 2016): e15–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.03.005.