An apple a day does not always keep the doctor away....

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_C9A846F180D7
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Case report (case report): feedback on an observation with a short commentary.
Collection
Publications
Title
An apple a day does not always keep the doctor away....
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences
Author(s)
Dedouit F., Tournel G., Robert A.B., Dutrieux P., Hédouin V., Gosset D.
ISSN
1556-4029 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0022-1198
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
53
Number
6
Pages
1434-1436
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal ArticlePublication Status: ppublish
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Anoxia/etiology, Asphyxia/etiology, Carbon Dioxide/blood, Carbon Dioxide/poisoning, Environment, Controlled, Forensic Medicine, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Suicide, Workplace
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
12/01/2016 10:01
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:44
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