Death due to Consumption of Calcium Hydroxide or "Choona" Presumed to be a Slimming Agent: An Unusual Case Report

Calcium hydroxide is a strong alkali which may cause irreversible injury to tissues that comes in contact with this substance. It is commonly consumed as "choona" in paan or betel leaf preparations in this part of the world. We present a rare case of death due to overdose of calcium hydroxide consumed for a strange belief of being a slimming agent. The corrosive effects of calcium hydroxide caused severe bleeding from the upper GI tract and proved to be fatal. The social myths and ignorance with respect to such toxic compounds are resulting in morbidity and mortality even in this age. Here we have discussed the incidence, symptomatology, pathology and manner of calcium hydroxide poisoning.