title: Occupational poisoning by carbon monoxide aboard a gas carrier. Report on 8 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  - To determine the accidental factors and the clinical symptoms in eight cases of occupational poisoning of port workers by carbon monoxide. - To consider the primary prevention of this serious pathology occurring at work.
  
  
  METHODS
  - To analyze the circumstances of the exposure to carbon monoxide in the employees in the naval repair sector. - To indicate the systemic failures causing this accidental poisoning, the means for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and to discuss the prevention of such accidents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The poisoning occurred in eight mechanics and electricians working without any protective means in a gas carrier tank in dry dock. The employees, unaware of carbon monoxide exposure, stayed for 45 minutes in an atmosphere polluted with carbon monoxide concentrations of over 500 ppm. The main complaints were of headache, muscular weakness, and drowsiness. No post-interval syndrome was found three weeks after poisoning. The levels of carboxyhaemoglobin varied from 1.8 to 31.2%. Early normal pressure oxygen therapy reduced the symptoms. No delayed syndrome was found three weeks after poisoning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The inclusion of poisonous gas in gas-free certification, adherence to maritime harbour regulations, greater respect for working instructions in hazardous environments, and the use of detectors appropriate to the conditions for each ship would avoid exposure and decrease the risk of poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Service de santé au travail en Iroise, Brest, France. d.lucas@metrabrest.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Brice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Loddé
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jegaden
authors.forename: Jean-Ariel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bronstein
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pougnet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Jean-Dominique
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Dewitte
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000209:etiology*; D005579:Fossil Fuels; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009326:Naval Medicine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health
chemical_list: D005579:Fossil Fuels; D002248:Carbon Monoxide