54 sickened at Kumamoto hospital after suicidal man vomits toxic gas

Thursday 22nd May, 09:27 AM JST

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Alphaape at 05:06 PM JST - 22nd May

weasel, in theory reactor water is safe to drink. Since water can't become radioactive (only particles in water can, that is why they used distilled water in reactors, but there is no way to get 100% distilled water without some particles, but I digress)

I would think that if the doctors knew that he had swalloed chemicals and followed the procedures to get the chemicals out of his body which probably included to induce vomiting, they would have been aware of this potential hazard.

I think it is about time the J-govt stepped in and started to promote a better mental health system and let everyone know that suicide is not the way. If they did it before by renouncing war and becoming a "pacifist nation" I am sure that they can come up with an idea to get the idea to the people of Japan that suicide is not the answer.
netrek at 05:07 PM JST - 22nd May

Why is there so much suicide in Japan?
timeon at 06:15 PM JST - 22nd May

this is a grave mistake of the hospital personnel. since the guy probably collapsed right after drinking the chloropicrin, the bottle containing the compound should have been somewhere near him. the doctors must ask the ambulance staff or the person who brought him to the hospital what did he drink, and then he can check the compound's MSDS and act accordingly. since I work in a chemical environment and I carried some guys to hospital (in Japan), I know this is the standard practice. the guy is dead, he just wanted to die at his home, how could he have known that somebody will carry him to hospital, be treated without the necessary precautions and hurt others?
fingerless at 06:38 PM JST - 22nd May

This chemical suicide epidemic is really getting out of hand. I think the Japanese government should seriously consider making euthanasia legal in order to make safe ways available. Of course the real issue is the appalling mental health care situation but that's going to take a long time to improve.
laconic at 08:19 PM JST - 22nd May

I dont know, do you really think that this farmer could have predicted that others might be hurt by toxic fumes in his vomit?
Lolli at 08:35 PM JST - 22nd May

I've just gone off my lunch...
Youdontknow at 10:58 PM JST - 22nd May

JT wrote:

According to the hospital, the man drank a liquid pesticide called chloropicrin with the apparent intention of killing himself.

Is it really a smart move to actually print the name of the chemical JT? After all, you recently published a story about chemical suicides and named the items used...how many people killed themselves in the Golden Week holidays, using the exact same items? Not saying it's JT's fault, but perhaps not naming the chemicals might just prevent someone from trying it? Can't say it won't happen...as we see everyday here...nothing's impossible.
raymech1 at 11:14 PM JST - 22nd May

Did a wiki on it and found out the stuff was used in WW1 as a chemical weapon..
jonobugs at 12:23 AM JST - 23rd May

I highly doubt that this person was thinking clearly or rationally enough to note how his actions would affect others. If he had, he probably wouldn't be suicidal in the first place. Unless of course he really WANTED to hurt other people. However if he did intend to hurt others I would surmise his methods would have been a bit more different. More importantly, however, is the fact that I seem to see a large number of reports on suicide in Japan. I'm wondering if they are reported more here than in other places, or is this a serious problem that Japanese people need to address? I can see how why this particular suicide received so much attention though.
KitsuneYoukai at 12:49 AM JST - 23rd May

Surely there are other methods less painful than this chemical to kill yourself. Oh! wait, what's that gas called again that starts with an H and ends with an S>>>>>>>

How sad, and he was young. Looks like life ont he farm was not so great.
jpdrag0n at 01:09 AM JST - 23rd May

what happened to the old fashioned hanging? or just overdosing on some pills? that way 54 other people wont be affected by someone elses problem.
Zurg at 01:25 AM JST - 23rd May

Please.

Japan.

Get ahold of this. It is so sad that a simple farmer has nothing to live for so he kills oneself. This is so sad for the families who have to live with this horrible way to die.

Please neighbors!! Please tell someone if they appear to be suicidal.

Please Help!!
brandonklex at 03:05 AM JST - 23rd May

huh i wonder how he threw up?it is to me doctors and personals mistake not to check what he has taken before make him throw up.they talk like they did not expect him to do that.
Kwaabish at 10:34 AM JST - 23rd May

Wasn't this a scene from "Dune"?
KyouNoNippon at 02:13 PM JST - 23rd May

Haha@kwaabish

Fine play.