Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
"The Silent Killer"

Case History | Prevention | Signs & Symptoms | Forensic Investigation Methods

Over the past three years, the EBRP Coroner’s Office has investigated five cases of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, one accidental and four suicides.

Carbon monoxide gas cannot be seen, or smelled or tasted. It does not cause irritation and the person being exposed often does not know he/she is being poisoned. Carbon monoxide is produced from the burning of such things as wood, gasoline, oil, natural gas, kerosene and coal.  

Case History

During a prolonged power outage due to a recent storm, Bill and Kathy decide to purchase a generator to preserve the food in the freezer and have some electricity in the house. While Bill is at work, Kathy decides to do some vacuuming and brings the generator inside the home and starts it up. Upon his return home that evening, Bill finds Kathy on the floor of the kitchen, she is cold to touch and stiff. He calls EMS who upon arrival calls the coroner. The coroner determines that the cause of death is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. The manner of death is accidental.

Prevention

Since wintertime may be a especially dangerous time for carbon monoxide poisoning, the following information is provided:

• Gasoline powered engines fumes are a dangerous source of carbon monoxide. This includes not only automobile engines but also:  generators, lawnmowers, chain saws, weed “eaters”, and any small engine.
  
  
• Never use a gas range or oven to heat the home.
  
  
• Charcoal grills, camping stoves, camping lanterns should never be used indoors or in an enclosed tent.
  
  Of course, all gas appliances and fireplaces should be inspected on a regular basis to assure proper functioning. Improperly vented gas heaters or wood burning fireplaces can be hazardous.
  
  
• In addition to these precautions, carbon monoxide detectors are available commercially.

Signs and Symptoms

Carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• headaches
• dizziness
• shortness of breath
• confusion
• nausea
• fainting
• convulsions
• coma
• death

Forensic Investigation Methods