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empire actress lindsey pearlman's death draws attention to sodium nitrite poisoning

advocates are trying to limit the availability of sodium nitrite, which is increasingly used for suicide and self-harm.

by maija kappler

published aug 16, 2022

last updated aug 17, 2022

3 minute read

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3 minute read

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empire actress lindsey pearlman died of sodium nitrite toxicity

sodium nitrite poisoning is an increasingly common suicide method, according to a study published earlier this year in the journal forensic science, medicine and pathology. getty

content warning: this story contains references to suicide, suicidal ideation and methods of suicide. lindsey pearlman, an actress known for her roles on empire and chicago justice, died by suicide in february. on aug. 15, her cause of death was confirmed by the los angeles county medical examiner-coroner: sodium nitrite toxicity. pearlman was only 43.

“we are deeply saddened by lindsey pearlman’s passing today,” michael chiaverini, a representative from her talent agency, said in a statement following her death. “the family has asked for privacy during this difficult time while they process and grieve.”

what is sodium nitrite?

sodium nitrite poisoning is an increasingly common suicide method, according to a study published earlier this year in the journal forensic science, medicine and pathology.

nitrites — and the similar-sounding but different nitrates — are chemical compounds made up of different combinations of nitrogen and oxygen, poison control, national capital poison centre explains. nitrates are common in food including spinach, broccoli and beets. in other forms, they are used in medications for heart disease and hypertension, as well as in fertilizer and explosives. nitrates are relatively stable, meaning they don’t easily change to a form that can become harmful.

nitrites, on the other hand, can change — either to nitric oxide, which is good for us, or nitrosamines, which are dangerous. (tobacco smoke contains a carcinogenic form of nitrosamines, for instance.) sodium nitrites are added to meat as a preservative. (it’s possible that a high volume of nitrite is why processed meat carries a cancer risk, although this is disputed.) it’s also found in antifreeze, and has been used to reduce feral pig populations in some parts of australia. volatile nitrites, or poppers, are sometimes inhaled and used as a drug.

nitrites become dangerous when they oxidize our red blood cells, which stop them from being able to carry oxygen and can result in a condition called methemoglobinemia, which turns the skin blue-grey and lead to confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness and, ultimately, death.

the substance also carries a risk for people experiencing suicidal ideation because it’s inexpensive, according to research in forensic science, medicine and pathology. those who died of sodium nitrite toxicity in that study were primarily adult men with a history of depression.

“awareness of emerging fatal substance abuse trends, clinical symptoms, and post-mortem signs by health professionals and pathologists is critical to effectively identify these cases,” the study’s authors wrote.

twenty-three deaths in canada from sodium nitrite poisoning

canada doesn’t track national data about poisoning deaths, but there were at least 23 deaths in 2019 and 2020 by sodium nitrite poisoning in ontario, according to a study released last year. those deaths were largely classified as intentional.

the substance has been promoted in suicide forums online for years, dr. tyler hickey, one of the study’s authors, told ctv news earlier this month. he would like to see more regulation imposed on its sale.

“i think one of the questions that needs to be asked is…is the value of [sodium nitrite] being freely accessible for certain uses outweighed by the potential dangers it might start to have in society if people are using it for ways to harm themselves?” he said. “and maybe there should be restriction around its accessibility both within canada and perhaps being ordered from outside canadian borders.”

mp gord johns, who represents the b.c. riding of courtenay-alberni for the ndp, and is the party’s critic for mental health and harm reduction, also told the outlet he’d like to see the federal government do more to limit the sale of sodium nitrite.

“we should make it harder for people to access methods [of suicide] that make it very easy to cross a point of no return, like fire arms or sodium nitrite,” johns said.

“and sodium nitrite poisoning numbers are likely under-counted because canada doesn’t collect comprehensive data about sodium nitrite poisoning. [regulation] is definitely something we should be exploring and [which] could be brought to the health committee.”

if you are in need of support for yourself, a friend or a family member, the canadian suicide prevention service helpline offers help and can be reached at 1-833-456-4566 toll free, 24/7. or, connect via text at 45645, from 4 p.m. to midnight et.

maija kappler is a reporter and editor at healthing. you can reach her at mkappler@postmedia.com

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empire actress lindsey pearlman's death draws attention to sodium nitrite poisoning

advocates are trying to limit the availability of sodium nitrite, which is increasingly used for suicide and self-harm.

what is sodium nitrite?

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twenty-three deaths in canada from sodium nitrite poisoning

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empire actress lindsey pearlman's death draws attention to sodium nitrite poisoning

advocates are trying to limit the availability of sodium nitrite, which is increasingly used for suicide and self-harm.

what is sodium nitrite?

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twenty-three deaths in canada from sodium nitrite poisoning

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