Asphyxial deaths caused by automobile exhaust inhalation not attributable to carbon monoxide toxicity: study of 2 cases.
The authors report two suicides that resulted from the intentional inhalation of automobile exhaust gases in which death occurred without the formation of physiologically significant amounts of carboxyhemoglobin. These circumstances are correlated with measurements of the involved vehicles' exhaust gases, which showed reduced concentrations of carbon monoxide present, reflecting improvements in automobile engine technology. In the absence of carbon monoxide toxicity, the authors attribute death in these cases to asphyxia caused by carbon dioxide intoxication and diminished atmospheric oxygen concentrations.
Schmunk
Gregory A
GA
Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office, San Jose, California, USA.
Kaplan
James A
JA
D000368:Aged; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013405:Suicide; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000633:toxicity*
D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002248:Carbon Monoxide