Marked Hypocalcemia and Ventricular Fibrillation in Two Pediatric Patients Exposed to a Fluoride-Containing Wheel Cleaner,

In two separate cases, pediatric patients exposed to Armor-All Quicksilver Wheel Cleaner exhibited systemic toxicity including mental status changes, marked hypocalcemia, and ventricular fibrillation. One child also demonstrated profound hypomagnesemia. These are the first pediatric reports of near-fatal outcomes after ingestion or inhalation of a hydrofluoric acid-like product, namely, ammonium bifluoride. [Klasner AE, Scalzo AJ, Blume C, Johnson P, Thompson MW: Marked hypocalcemia and ventricular fibrillation in two pediatric patients exposed to a fluoride-containing wheel cleaner. Ann Emerg Med December 1996;28:713-718.]