Sigrist T, Flury K
Z Rechtsmed. 1985;94(3):245-50. doi: 10.1007/BF00204089.
The intake of 0.51 of water glass (sodium metasilicate; colloid pH 12.5) led to death within 1-1.5 h. Autopsy revealed alkali burns of the stomach mucosa. The stomach contained a small amount of liquid with a pH of 11.5. Histologically, numerous bronchioles and alveoles were filled with amorphous material. This material was chemically proved to be condensed water glass. The obstruction of large parts of the lungs by water glass led to an inhibition of alveolar gas diffusion, which may have been the cause of death. The transformation of the water glass from liquid to solid occurred in the lungs by means of the carbonic acid of expiration air. This was made possible because the pH of water glass had been changed by gastric secretions from 12.5 to 11.5. Water glass starts to solidify around pH 11.4-11.3.
摄入0.51的水玻璃（偏硅酸钠；胶体pH值12.5）会在1至1.5小时内导致死亡。尸检显示胃黏膜有碱烧伤。胃内有少量pH值为11.5的液体。组织学检查发现，许多细支气管和肺泡充满了无定形物质。经化学证明，这种物质是凝结的水玻璃。水玻璃对大部分肺部的阻塞导致肺泡气体扩散受到抑制，这可能是死亡原因。呼出气体中的碳酸使水玻璃在肺部从液体转变为固体。这之所以成为可能，是因为胃分泌物已将水玻璃的pH值从12.5变为11.5。水玻璃在pH值约11.4 - 11.3时开始凝固。
