Clinical and physiological findings in 228 patients evaluated following the accidental release of a natural gas odorant mixture containing tetrahydrothiophene and tert-butyl mercaptan
4 affiliations
- 15th Specialized Board, Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- 2Head of 5th Specialized Board, Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- 3Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- 4Tekirdag Branch, Council of Forensic Medicine, Tekirdag, Turkey
Abstract
Background: Tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and tert-butyl mercaptan (TBM) are sulfur-containing odorants used to detect natural gas leaks. Data on acute human exposure to these substances are limited.
Objective: To describe the clinical and toxicological findings recorded following a reported release of a THT–TBM mixture.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study reviewed records of 228 symptomatic patients with complete clinical files who were documented as present at the incident site after release of a 70% THT and 30% TBM mixture. The 5th Specialized Board of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkey, evaluated the records. Individual THT/TBM exposure measurements and odorant-specific biomarkers were unavailable.
Results: The mean patient age was 32.94 ± 8.67 years; 85.5% were female. The most frequently reported symptoms were nausea (88.2%), dizziness (74.1%), shortness of breath (71.5%), drowsiness (54.0%), fatigue (51.3%), and headache (48.7%). Mydriasis was recorded in 29.8% of patients, and tachycardia in 32.0%. Arterial pH was below 7.35 in 56.1% of patients, and PaCO₂ was above 45 mmHg in 53.1%; oxygenation was generally preserved. Median lactate was 2.3 mmol/L (interquartile range: 1.2–4.5; >2.0 mmol/L in 60.1%). Median COHb was 3.4% (range: 0.1–11%; smoking status unrecorded). These rates represent symptomatic presenting patients, not all exposed individuals.
Conclusion: The reviewed records documented neurovegetative, respiratory, and ocular complaints. Acid-base and lactate abnormalities were nonspecific and cannot be causally linked to the event. No severe cardiopulmonary collapse or deaths were documented. Without long-term follow-up, delayed or persistent sequelae cannot be excluded.
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BibTeX
@article{yigit2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical and physiological findings in 228 patients evaluated following the accidental release of a natural gas odorant mixture containing tetrahydrothiophene and tert-butyl mercaptan}},
author = {Eda Yigit and Faruk Asıcıoglu and Bayram Kaan Isıldak},
journal = {Toxicology Reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102364},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102364},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical and physiological findings in 228 patients evaluated following the accidental release of a natural gas odorant mixture containing tetrahydrothiophene and tert-butyl mercaptan
AU - Eda Yigit
AU - Faruk Asıcıoglu
AU - Bayram Kaan Isıldak
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Toxicology Reports
DO - 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102364
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102364
AB - Background: Tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and tert-butyl mercaptan (TBM) are sulfur-containing odorants used to detect natural gas leaks. Data on acute human exposure to these substances are limited. Objective: To describe the clinical and toxicological findings recorded following a reported release of a THT–TBM mixture. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study reviewed records of 228 symptomatic patients with complete clinical files who were documented as present at the incident site after release of a 70% THT and 30% TBM mixture. The 5th Specialized Board of the Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkey, evaluated the records. Individual THT/TBM exposure measurements and odorant-specific biomarkers were unavailable. Results: The mean patient age was 32.94 ± 8.67 years; 85.5% were female. The most frequently reported symptoms were nausea (88.2%), dizziness (74.1%), shortness of breath (71.5%), drowsiness (54.0%), fatigue (51.3%), and headache (48.7%). Mydriasis was recorded in 29.8% of patients, and tachycardia in 32.0%. Arterial pH was below 7.35 in 56.1% of patients, and PaCO₂ was above 45 mmHg in 53.1%; oxygenation was generally preserved. Median lactate was 2.3 mmol/L (interquartile range: 1.2–4.5; >2.0 mmol/L in 60.1%). Median COHb was 3.4% (range: 0.1–11%; smoking status unrecorded). These rates represent symptomatic presenting patients, not all exposed individuals. Conclusion: The reviewed records documented neurovegetative, respiratory, and ocular complaints. Acid-base and lactate abnormalities were nonspecific and cannot be causally linked to the event. No severe cardiopulmonary collapse or deaths were documented. Without long-term follow-up, delayed or persistent sequelae cannot be excluded.
SN - 2214-7500
ER -