The cause of death of Darius Campbell Danesh was "inhalation of chloroethane" and "suffocation", officials have confirmed. Medical examiners ruled his death as an accident.
The former Pop Idol star was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota on August 11. News agency PA obtained autopsy documents from the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office that attributed his death to the "toxic" effects of the chemical.
Chloroethane is used in petrol additives, plastics, dyes, pharmaceuticals, topical anaesthetics, and as an industrial refrigerant. Commonly known as ethyl chloride, it became popular as an inhalant street drug in the 1980s.
Brief inhalations of the drug can result in dizziness, euphoria, confusion, incoordination, hallucinosis, impairment of short-term memory and narcosis, Wales Online reports.
Inhalation of higher doses may be related to severe depression of the central nervous system – toxicity and deaths have been reported – while it can also damage the liver and kidneys.
Chloroethane is used as a thickening agent and binder in paints, cosmetics, and similar products. It has been used as a refrigerant, an aerosol spray propellant, an anaesthetic, and a blowing agent for foam packaging, but at present, it is not widely used in any of these roles.
Chloroethane is a recreational inhalant drug. In Brazil, it is a major component of a traditional (though illegal) drug taken during Carnaval, known locally as "lança-perfume".
Victims usually exhibit symptoms similar to those of alcohol intoxication. Breathing its vapours at more than 15% concentration is often fatal.
If exposed to concentrations higher than 6% to 8% victims often exhibit shallow breathing, loss of consciousnesses, and depressed heart-rate. They can be brought around with physical contact or loud noise. Removal of the drug from the area of exposure is advised to restore consciousness.
The long-term effects of exposure over a period of four or more hours will cause side effects similar to alcoholic hang-over with dehydration, dizziness, loss of clear vision and temporary loss of consciousness, which can last an hour or more.
If no longer exposed to the gas, a victim will return to normal health quickly. This can be helped with intake of extra fluids, vitamins, and sugars.
Toxic over-exposure starts at 9% to 12% concentrations - the heart rate drops further and the victim may have more shallow breathing or stop altogether. They do not respond to any outside stimulation and may begin to involuntarily gasp, belch or vomit. This constitutes a medical emergency and requires prompt action.
It is advised to move the victim to clear air and administer forced breathing for them to purge the lungs of the toxic fumes. If the victim recovers quickly enough, hospitalisation may not be required, but will require a medical examination to ensure that no organ damage has occurred.
At more than 12% concentration, the victim's heart, lungs and kidneys begin to fail. Immediate CPR followed by medical support measures may be required to prevent fatal kidney, lung and heart failure.
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