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The role of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide in fire casualties: a prospective study.
Forensic Sci Int. 1989 Sep; 43(1):9-14.FS

Abstract

Determinations of blood cyanide and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were performed in 18 victims found dead in buildings after fires during a 2-year period. The results indicated that 50% of the victims had been exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen cyanide and 90% to toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide were found in 83% of the victims. In one case a lethal blood cyanide but a non-toxic blood carboxyhemoglobin value was found. It is concluded that carbon monoxide appears to be more important than hydrogen cyanide as a toxic agent in the fire atmosphere, but cyanide poisoning without carbon monoxide poisoning may, under certain circumstances, be the cause of death in fire victims.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Lundquist P
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Sweden.
Rammer L
No affiliation info available
Sörbo B
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCarbon Monoxide PoisoningCarboxyhemoglobinCause of DeathEthanolFemaleFiresHumansHydrogen CyanideMaleMiddle AgedProspective Studies

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

2556335

Citation

Lundquist, P, et al. "The Role of Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide in Fire Casualties: a Prospective Study." Forensic Science International, vol. 43, no. 1, 1989, pp. 9-14.
Lundquist P, Rammer L, Sörbo B. The role of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide in fire casualties: a prospective study. Forensic Sci Int. 1989;43(1):9-14.
Lundquist, P., Rammer, L., & Sörbo, B. (1989). The role of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide in fire casualties: a prospective study. Forensic Science International, 43(1), 9-14.
Lundquist P, Rammer L, Sörbo B. The Role of Hydrogen Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide in Fire Casualties: a Prospective Study. Forensic Sci Int. 1989;43(1):9-14. PubMed PMID: 2556335.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - The role of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide in fire casualties: a prospective study. AU - Lundquist,P, AU - Rammer,L, AU - Sörbo,B, PY - 1989/9/1/pubmed PY - 1989/9/1/medline PY - 1989/9/1/entrez SP - 9 EP - 14 JF - Forensic science international JO - Forensic Sci Int VL - 43 IS - 1 N2 - Determinations of blood cyanide and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were performed in 18 victims found dead in buildings after fires during a 2-year period. The results indicated that 50% of the victims had been exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen cyanide and 90% to toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide were found in 83% of the victims. In one case a lethal blood cyanide but a non-toxic blood carboxyhemoglobin value was found. It is concluded that carbon monoxide appears to be more important than hydrogen cyanide as a toxic agent in the fire atmosphere, but cyanide poisoning without carbon monoxide poisoning may, under certain circumstances, be the cause of death in fire victims. SN - 0379-0738 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/2556335/The_role_of_hydrogen_cyanide_and_carbon_monoxide_in_fire_casualties:_a_prospective_study_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -