Citation

MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly. Rep. 1960; 9(34): 2.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1960, (in public domain), Publisher U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Dr. Alexander Witkow, Butler County (Ohio) Health Commissioner, reported a chemical food poisoning outbreak in which 20 individuals attending a drive-in theater became violently ill following the ingestion of a soft drink during intermission. Vomiting, dizziness, cramps, and severe malaise occurred within less than 5 minutes; On admission to the hos­ pital, elevated white blood cell counts up to 16,000 were noted. Within one day the blood showed a remarkable depressed picture withleukopenia below 3,000 and some lesser depression of red blood cell numbers and hemoglobin level. The depressed blood picture continued for several weeks before complete recovery. Investigation revealed arsenic in both the soft drink syrup and the mixed cola drink. Arsenic also appeared in the urine of all the persons affected for about a month following the episode.

It was found that a drum of weedkiller, containing 45.5 percent sodium arsenite was broken in delivery. The weedkiller was then placed in every available container including emptied cola syrup gallon jugs. It was thought probably the dilution of the weedkiller took place at the sink of the refreshment stand, and that one of the jugs was left at the stand and then placed with the other syrup containers. The concentrated weedkiller, identical in appearance to the cola syrup, was poured into the tank of the dispensing machine. No deaths occurred. It was thought the concentration of the arsenic was so high that it was vomited almost completely before much absorption took place.

Language: en