Suicide Attempt by Inhalation of Argon Gas

Abstract

Suicide attempts using asphyxiants have been increasing compared to the past. Argon is an inert gases which is harmless to the human body, but when inhaled, can causes suffocation due to lack of oxygen. A 24-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department after an attempted suicide using argon gas. At the time of arrival, his mental status was drowsy and hematologic data indicated lactic acidosis. Consciousness was recovered after 3 hours and he was discharged without complications. He stated that he had discovered about argon gas through a suicide website and proceeded to make his purchase online. Nowadays, such websites with information on suicides are exposed to the general public without discretion and has become a major social issue. Therefore, although current suicide rates using argon gas are low in Korea, it is a suicide method to take note of in the future.