UMEM Educational Pearls

 Toxicology Expert: Poisoning Of Harvard University Scientists "No Accident"

• 6 scientists in a Boston area lab drank coffee that was laced with sodium azide
• Presented with hypotension, nausea and vomiting - one had a syncopal episode
• Sodium Azide is a chemical compound (NaN3) that is used as a preservative at very low concentrations but in higher concentrations can be lethal. It is even found in the propellant that is found in automobile airbag mechanisms
• It acts similiar to cyanide where it inhibits cytochrome oxidase and presents like a cyanide poisoning.
• No antidote, cyanide antidote kit will not work