Suicidal asphyxiation by inhalation of automobile emission without carbon monoxide poisoning.
Reported herein is the suicidal asphyxiation of a young man due to exhaustion of oxygen in the interior of a sealed automobile into which the exhaust emissions were diverted. His blood carboxyhemaglobin concentration was less than 5% saturation. The car was equipped with a catalytic converter and when tested, the exhaust carbon monoxide concentration was 0.01%.
deRoux
Stephen J
SJ
Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York, and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 520 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. npmd@comcast.net
D000293:Adolescent; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*
D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin