• Forensic Sci. Int. · Sep 1989

    The role of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide in fire casualties: a prospective study.

    • P Lundquist, L Rammer, and B Sörbo.
    • Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Sweden.
    • Forensic Sci. Int. 1989 Sep 1; 43 (1): 9-14.

    AbstractDeterminations of blood cyanide and carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were performed in 18 victims found dead in buildings after fires during a 2-year period. The results indicated that 50% of the victims had been exposed to toxic levels of hydrogen cyanide and 90% to toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide were found in 83% of the victims. In one case a lethal blood cyanide but a non-toxic blood carboxyhemoglobin value was found. It is concluded that carbon monoxide appears to be more important than hydrogen cyanide as a toxic agent in the fire atmosphere, but cyanide poisoning without carbon monoxide poisoning may, under certain circumstances, be the cause of death in fire victims.

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