Case Report: acute and long-term effects of a massive beta-mercaptoethanol inhalation.

INTRODUCTION: β-mercaptoethanol is widely used in biochemistry and industrial applications. Animal toxicity has been demonstrated but very limited data exists regarding its human effects. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 40-year-old male patient was exposed to β-mercaptoethanol vapours after an accidental occupational spillage. He developed dizziness, blurred vision, a headache and epistaxis within minutes alongside dyspnoea and cough in the following hours. Lung function tests displayed bronchial hyperreactivity and increased resistances, consistent with a reactive airways dysfunction syndrome. Neuropsychological testing showed memory difficulties affecting both working and long-term verbal memory, together with attentional and executive weaknesses. Twenty months after the incident, the patient still experienced memory impairment and dyspnoea while bronchial hyperreactivity remained present. CONCLUSION: Respiratory exposure to large quantities of β-mercaptoethanol vapours can cause reactive airways dysfunction syndrome and is associated with long-term neurological and respiratory symptoms.