Gas geyser--a cause of fatal domestic carbon monoxide poisoning.

T S Mohankumar, Tanuj Kanchan, K S Pinakini, Ritesh G Menezes, Manisha Singh, Parmendra Sirohi, Naureen Anwar

Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, JJM Medical College, Davangere, India.

Journal of forensic and legal medicine 2012 Nov

filter terms:

Carbon monoxide is responsible for a large number of accidental domestic poisoning and deaths throughout the world. Domestic carbon monoxide poisoning is rarely reported in India and remains an under recognized problem. The diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning is usually based on autopsy findings, circumstantial evidence and estimation of carboxy-haemoglobin in blood. We report a case of fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in a bathroom where an LPG gas water heater was installed recently. Cherry pink discolouration of the body and organs on autopsy suggested carbon monoxide poisoning. Laboratory analysis of blood by UV visible spectrophotometry revealed presence of dangerous levels of carboxy-haemoglobin. Effective preventive measures can help in bringing down the mortality and morbidity associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Citation

T S Mohankumar, Tanuj Kanchan, K S Pinakini, Ritesh G Menezes, Manisha Singh, Parmendra Sirohi, Naureen Anwar. Gas geyser--a cause of fatal domestic carbon monoxide poisoning. Journal of forensic and legal medicine. 2012 Nov;19(8):490-3