Chemical & Detergent
Suicides
Hampden County Sheriffs Dept
627 Randall Rd, Ludlow, Ma 01056
Office 413-858-0182
Cell 413-531-8699
Eric.stratton@sdh.state.ma.us
DETERGENT SUICIDE
Detergent suicide is a newer method of committing
suicide that appears to be gaining in popularity. According to
reports suicide rates are on the increase. One method that appears
to be on the rise is the use of common house hold chemicals to
make a lethal gaseous combination.This combination of
ingredients yields Hydrogen Sulfide Gas (H2S).
This new method can clearly be traced back to Japan. At
least 500 Japanese men, women and children took their lives
in the first half of 2008 by following instructions posted on
Japanese websites, which describe how to mix bath sulfur with
toilet bowl cleaner to create a poisonous gas. The method has
been able to gain popularity due to the internet.
DETERGENT SUICIDE
Police, Fire, and EMS should be aware that these
suicides typically take place in a confined space like a
vehicle , closet or small bathroom. The subject usually
places the chemicals in the bucket and mixes the
combination together. As the mixture is combined it
releases the Hydrogen Sulfide Gas.
In some cases the subject places bio-hazard signs around
the vehicle to warn responders. Subjects have also placed
duct tape or similar material around the windows and
vents to contain the gas.
Recent Reported events in the US and Canada
26 Aug 2008 Pasadena, California
24 Dec 2008 Bartow, County, Georgia
10 May 2009 Toronto, Canada
14 May 2009 Ada County, Idaho
15 Dec 2009 Gwinnett County, Gorgia
12 Feb 2009 San Jose, California
Hydrogen Sulfide
• Toxic gas
• Usually encountered in confined space rescue
• Colorless gas
• Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) level of
100 parts-per-million
• NFPA 704 Health Risk rating of 4
• Respiratory hazard
Parts Per
Exposure Million (ppm) Physical Effect
< 40 ppm’s for less Eye and mucous
Low Level than 15 minutes membrane irritation
Moderate Level > 20 ppm Pulmonary membrane
irritation
Cough, dyspnea,
High Level 50 – 400 ppm cyanosis and confusion
Severe – High >500 Fatal systemic toxicity
At 700 ppm just 2-3 breaths can cause immediate death
Typical Chemicals Used
Acid Sources Sulfur Sources
• Muriatic acid • Artist oil paints
• Sulfuric acid • Dandruff shampoos
• Lysol disinfectant • Pesticides
• Lysol toilet bowl cleaner • Spackling paste
• The Works toilet bowl cleaner • Latex paints
• Blu-lite Germicidal acid bowl cleaner • Garden fungicides
• Kaboom Shower, Tub and Tile cleaner • Lime Sulfur
• Tile and Stone cleaners • Bonide
Warning Signs / Vehicle
• Subject appears unconscious and unresponsive
• Tape over vents and windows
• Suicide note
• A posted note to warn rescuers of present danger
• Bucket , pail , pot or cooler in the vehicle containing chemicals
• Empty containers of chemicals in or around the vehicle
• Smell of rotten eggs
Response to Detergent Suicide in a vehicle
• Survey the scene
• Survey the inside of the vehicle
• Determine responsiveness of subject
•Conscious or unconscious
•Appears to be breathing – chest rise and fall
• If the subject is conscious can they open the door and exit the
vehicle. Have the subject walk / crawl away from vehicle to fresh air.
• Be careful when treating the patient due to the off gassing from the
subjects clothing and exhaled breaths.
• If the subject is unconscious and there is no apparent breathing for
30 seconds to a minute stand by for Haz-Mat and back away from the
vehicle. Follow state and local protocols
Treatment once removed from vehicle or residence
• Access Airway – Breathing – Circulation
• Ideally – rescuer’s in proper PPE should provide a patient
assessment and remove the patients clothing and double bag it
• Check for respiratory effort and rate and assist with ventilations as
needed. 100% Oxygen would be recommended
• Check for pulse and if available place the patient on the monitor
and evaluate the rhythm
• Attempt venous access
• Attach pulse oximeter
• When possible attempt to do as much as possible enroute to the
appropriate hospital
Always follow state and local medical protocols
Response to a detergent suicide in a dwelling
• Any outward visual signs as you approach the residence or
apartment building
• Signs posted on the front of the house
• Other persons from inside the house complaining of difficulty
breathing
• The smell of rotten eggs or sewer gas in the area and gets
stronger as you approach the target residence
• Be prepared to evacuate the residence or apartment building
The following exchange was taken off a website that was discussing
what chemical should be used and how to calculate the mixture!
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&$1/-.&1$1/G/1$"($.4*2"+/'$0#1()*/D$)</<D$>DRRR$33,<$Toilet bowl cleaner used for suicide in
Japan is containing 9.5% HCl. It is equal Lysol(R) Toilet Bowl Cleaner (9.5 percent HCl).
Liquid bath essence “610HAP” used for suicide in Japan is containing about 20%-25%
calcium polysulfides. It is equal Pesticides lime sulfur.
ADA County, Idaho 14 May 2009
Approaching vehicle, responders can clearly see there is some type
of signing on the vehicles windows.
What if the approach was at night would the signage still be clear?
Biohazard
Signage
Mixture
on
passenger
seat
Be aware of the foul smell of sewer gas or rotten eggs as you approach
Containers of chemicals
removed from vehicle. More
than enough to do the job.
This is true at
700 ppm
Did hazmat check the levels in the car
before starting to process the scene?
Are there anymore chemicals in or around the vehicle?
Let me check the
local protocol on
that one!
These are the
chemicals and
containers that
the subject from
the previous slide
used.
This subject committed suicide mixing cyanide and an acid
Resources
http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/HY/hydrogen_sulfide.html
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/03/japanese-deterg
http://www.kctv5.com/print/22033404/detail.html
ADA County Sheriffs Office
Toronto EMS
http://firechief.com/hazmat/ar/detergent-suicide-alert-20090914
