z-logo
Premium
An Apple a Day Does not Always Keep the Doctor Away…
Author(s) -
Dedouit Fabrice,
Tournel Gilles,
Robert Anne Bécart,
Dutrieux Pierre,
Hédouin Valéry,
Gosset Didier
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00859.x
Subject(s) - co poisoning , accidental , suicide methods , carbon dioxide , poison control , medicine , carbon monoxide poisoning , atmosphere (unit) , suicide prevention , medical emergency , toxicology , chemistry , biology , geography , organic chemistry , meteorology , physics , acoustics , suicide rates , catalysis
  The authors describe a case of suicide in the workplace. A 45‐year‐old man employed by a fruit and vegetable packing company was found dead in a room containing a modified atmosphere for the packaging of fruits and vegetables. The rescue team measured the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration of the ambient air with a digital CO tester and found a level higher than 600 particles per million. Analysis of an arterial blood sample taken with an airtight syringe revealed the absence of CO but high levels of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Autopsy revealed no significant injury and police investigators found a handwritten note of intent, describing a recent personal crisis. The authors concluded that the cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation secondary to CO 2 intoxication and notably oxygen (O 2 ) depletion. This manner of suicide is rare and most cases previously described in the literature were accidental intoxications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of suicide by CO 2 intoxication and O 2 depletion in a room with a modified atmosphere.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here