1Senior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
2Demonstrator, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India
3Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
* Dr. Satinder Pal Singh Phone: +91- 9988008723 Email: spsingh9988@yahoo.co.in
Thinner is frequently added to oil paints to bring a desired level of viscosity before it could be applied to the walls and roofs of houses. It is a known inflammable material. Its chronic exposure adversely affects different body systems and may lead to intoxication. However, contrary to the common perception of thinner poisoning, it is also a recognized source of fire that may prove fatal. The authors present a comparatively rare case where a person engaged in painting a house lost his life due to ignition of thinner. This case report highlights the immediate need to address this health hazard in the relatively lesser educated societies of developing countries like India to prevent the loss of innocent lives.
Thinner, paint, burns, death
