The Drug-Induced Respiratory Disease Website

Sniffing death - Death from inhalation of compound

Typically sudden. See also under XIr. Death is from poisoning or asphyxia. Typically, collapse and death quickly follow inhalation of the gas or substance

Publications

Berling I, Isbister GK

Rare but relevant: Hydrocarbons and sudden sniffing syndrome.

Addiction (Abingdon, England) 2025 Sep;120;1884-1888 — 2025 Sep — 1884-1888

Piersanti V, Napoletano G, David MC, Umani Ronchi F, Marinelli E, De Paola L, Zaami S

Sudden death due to butane abuse - An overview.

Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2024 Apr;103;102662 — 2024 Apr — 102662

Amadasi A, Mastroluca L, Marasciuolo L, Caligara M, Sironi L, Gentile G, Zoja R

Death due to acute tetrachloroethylene intoxication in a chronic abuser.

International journal of legal medicine 2015 May;129;487-93 — 2015 May — 487-93

Zorro AR

Asphyxial suicide by inhalation of chloroform inside a plastic bag.

Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2014 Jan;21;1-4 — 2014 Jan — 1-4

Phatak DR, Walterscheid J

Huffing air conditioner fluid: a cool way to die?

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology 2012 Mar;33;64-7 — 2012 Mar — 64-7

Wick R, Gilbert JD, Felgate P, Byard RW

Inhalant deaths in South Australia: a 20-year retrospective autopsy study.

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology 2007 Dec;28;319-22 — 2007 Dec — 319-22

Singer PP, Jones GR

An unusual autoerotic fatality associated with chloroform inhalation.

Journal of analytical toxicology 2006 Apr;30;216-8 — 2006 Apr — 216-8

Musshoff F, Padosch SA, Kroener LA, Madea B

Accidental autoerotic death by volatile substance abuse or nonsexually motivated accidents?

The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology 2006 Jun;27;188-92 — 2006 Jun — 188-92

Isenschmid DS, Cassin BJ, Hepler BR, Kanluen S

Tetrachloroethylene intoxication in an autoerotic fatality.

Journal of forensic sciences 1998 Jan;43;231-4 — 1998 Jan — 231-4

Steffee CH, Davis GJ, Nicol KK

A whiff of death: fatal volatile solvent inhalation abuse.

Southern medical journal 1996 Sep;89;879-84 — 1996 Sep — 879-84

Tough SC, Butt JC, Sanders GL

Autoerotic asphyxial deaths: analysis of nineteen fatalities in Alberta, 1978 to 1989.

Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie 1994 Apr;39;157-60 — 1994 Apr — 157-60

Musclow CE, Awen CF

Glue sniffing: report of a fatal case.

Canadian Medical Association journal 1971 Feb 20;104;315-9 — 1971 Feb 20 — 315-9