Fatal intoxication by 1,2-dichloroethane--a case report.

This is a case report of acute fatal intoxication after accidental exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane in a 51-year-old man. Clinical manifestations, blood chemistry, and autopsy findings are described. High levels of lactate and ammonia in blood had been observed before the elevation of glutamic transaminases, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase. Ornithine carbamyl transferase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase of mitochondrial origin (m-GOT) were remarkably high.