Man’s urine turns FLUORESCENT after antifreeze poisoning
- The unnamed man, 48, was vomiting and complaining of abdominal pain
- Tests results revealed his blood pressure was at a dangerously low level
- The diagnosis was poisoning via ethylene glycol – a key antifreeze ingredient
- Fluorescent compounds are often added to antifreeze to help detect leaks
- After spending four days in hospital receiving drugs, he made a full recovery
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
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A man’s urine turned fluorescent after being poisoned with antifreeze, a case report reveals.
The unnamed man, 48, believed to be from Texas, is thought to have accidentally ingested a coolant that caused his urine to glow blue-green.
After appearing at hospital vomiting and complaining of abdominal pain, tests revealed his blood pressure was dangerously low.
He was later diagnosed with poisoning via ethylene glycol – the active ingredient in active freeze that contains fluorescent compounds.
After spending four days in hospital, he has now fully recovered.
A man’s urine turned fluorescent after being poisoned with antifreeze, a case report reveals
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WHAT IS ANTIFREEZE POISONING?
Antifreeze poisoning occurs due to ethylene glycol.
This is a colourless, odourless, sweet liquid that is commonly found in antifreeze.
Early symptoms include feelings of drunkenness, as well as vomiting and abdominal pain.
Later signs are reduced consciousness, headaches and seizures.
The poisoning can also cause brain damage, kidney failure and death.
Treatment focuses on stabilising the patient and reversing the poisoning.
Dialysis may be required if organ damage has occurred or if acid levels in the blood are excessively high.
Blue-green fluorescent urine
The report authors wrote in BMJ Case Report: ‘A man with diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse presented to the emergency room with altered mental status, vomiting and abdominal pain. On examination, he was confused and uncooperative’.
Test results revealed he had an abnormally low blood pressure and was breathing excessively fast.
Urine samples and mouth examinations confirmed he was suffering from ethylene glycol poisoning – a sign of antifreeze ingestion.
Ethylene glycol poisoning typically causes the body to produce excessive amounts of acid or slows the rate the kidneys remove acid.
Examining the man’s urine sample under UV light revealed it was glowing blue-green fluorescent.
The authors wrote: ‘Most antifreeze preparations have added fluorescein to help detect radiator leaks’.
He appeared at hospital vomiting and complaining of suffering with abdominal pain
Yet, urine can appear fluorescent if somebody has eaten certain foods, ingested toxins or taken drugs. It also more commonly occurs in children.
The man was successfully treated via drugs, dietary supplements and dialysis.
He was discharged from hospital after four days.
What is ethylene glycol poisoning?
Ethylene glycol is a colourless, odourless, sweet liquid, commonly found in antifreeze.
Early symptoms of poisoning include feelings of drunkenness, as well as vomiting and abdominal pain. Later signs are reduced consciousness, headaches and seizures.
It can also cause brain damage, kidney failure and death.
Treatment focuses on stabilising the patient and reversing the poisoning. Dialysis may be required if organ damage has occurred or if acid levels in the blood are excessively high.
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