Environmental gas displacement: three accidental deaths in the workplace.
The authors describe three accidental deaths resulting from occupational hazards involving environmental gas alterations. One involved the displacement of oxygen caused by leakage of liquid nitrogen during the installation of a magnetic resonance imaging system. Two involved elevated environmental carbon dioxide concentrations: dry ice sublimation in a walk-in refrigerator in a research laboratory, and activation of a carbon dioxide fire alarm-extinguisher system by a woman locked in a bank vault. The autopsy findings, scene investigations, and certifications of these deaths, as related to the mechanisms of death, are discussed.
Gill
James R
JR
New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, New York, New York 10016, USA. Alzanolomb@aol.com
Ely
Susan F
SF
Hua
Zhongxue
Z
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D004367:Dry Ice; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005388:Fire Extinguishing Systems; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000506:poisoning*
D004367:Dry Ice; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009584:Nitrogen