Notes from the Field: Intoxication and Deaths Associated with Ingestion of a Racing Fuel and Carbonated Soft Drink Mixture - Tennessee, January 2016

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Jun 10;65(22):585-6. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6522a4.

Abstract

In January 2016, the Tennessee Poison Center and Tennessee Department of Health learned of the deaths of two adolescents, and the nonfatal intoxication of two other adolescents, after ingestion of a mixture of racing fuel (approximately 100% methanol) and a carbonated soft drink. The Tennessee Department of Health reviewed medical records and police reports to learn more about the racing fuel source, assess ongoing risk, and guide prevention efforts. These are the first reported deaths in the United States associated with ingestion of this racing fuel mixture.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Carbonated Beverages*
  • Eating*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methanol / toxicity*
  • Tennessee / epidemiology

Substances

  • Methanol