| Document ID (ISN) | 111341 |
| CIS number |
11-0072 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1745-6673 - Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology |
| Year |
2010 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Morii D., Miyagatani Y., Nakamae N., Murao M., Taniyama K. |
| Title |
Japanese experience of hydrogen sulfide: The suicide craze in 2008 |
| Bibliographic information |
2010, 5:28, 3p. Illus. 3 ref. |
| Internet access |
Japanese_experience.pdf [in English]
|
| Abstract |
Most of hydrogen sulfide poisoning in Japan involved industrial accidents. However, since January 2008, a burgeoning of suicide attempts using homemade hydrogen sulfide gas has become evident. By April 2008, the fad escalated into a chain reaction nationwide. Mortality of the poisoning was very high. There were 220 cases of attempted gas suicides during the period of March 27 to June 15, killing 208. An introduction of new method of making the gas, transmitted through message boards on the internet, was blamed for this "outbreak". The new method entailed mixing bath additive and toilet detergent. The National Police Agency instructed internet providers to remove information that could be harmful. Of the victims of the fad in 2008, several cases were serious enough that family members also died. Paramedics and caregivers were also injured secondarily by the gas. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
Japan; hydrogen sulfide; psychology and sociology; human behaviour; suicide; poisoning |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
toilet preparations; detergents; information dissemination; role of government |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Subject(s) |
Psychology and sociology
Toxic and dangerous substances
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
Stress, psychosocial factors
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Safety and health information
Psychological factors
Inorganic sulfur compounds
|
