An Autopsy Case of Drowning Caused by Accidental Carbon Dioxide Intoxication in a Hold Tank

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  • SATO Hiroaki
    Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • TANAKA Toshiko
    Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • KASAI Kentaro
    Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health
  • KITA Toshiro
    Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 船倉タンク内で二酸化炭素中毒により溺死した作業者の剖検例
  • 症例報告 船倉タンク内で二酸化炭素中毒により溺死した作業者の剖検例
  • ショウレイ ホウコク センソウ タンク ナイ デ ニサンカ タンソ チュウドク ニ ヨリ デキシ シタ サギョウシャ ノ ボウケンレイ

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Abstract

A 49-year-old male captain fell and unfortunately died in a hold tank where he had entered to rescue his fainting co-worker on the disposing waste fluid left there. An autopsy revealed that the captain died from drowning in the waste fluid. In order to clarify the cause of their falling in the tank, the gas in the hold tank was analyzed. The concentration of oxygen was 18.86〜19.31%, carbon dioxide was 7.28〜9.07% and the other gases, including hydrogen sulfide, were assessed to be under the normal level. It was concluded that the intoxication of carbon dioxide generated from the waste fluid fermentation was the cause of this fatal accident through loss of consciousness. It is necessary to recognize that carbon dioxide is a dangerous and deleterious gas in circumstances where the gas can be produced.

Journal

  • Journal of UOEH

    Journal of UOEH 31 (4), 353-358, 2009

    The University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan

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