Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Carbon monoxide poisoning in two workers using an LPG forklift truck within a coldstore
1Health & Safety Executive, Field Operation Directorate Yorkshire and North East, Sheffield, UK.
Background:
This report describes carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in two workers using a hired forklift truck within a coldstore. The diagnosis was not considered until day 6 of the incident, and so measurements of blood or breath CO at the time of acute illness were unavailable.
Aims:
To determine whether CO poisoning may be diagnosed retrospectively, where blood or breath CO measurements are unavailable, in the context of this particular incident.
Methods:
Detailed clinical histories were obtained. Estimation of possible levels of CO exposure were made based on computer biokinetic modelling based on the Coburn-Foster-Kane equation.
Results:
The combined method used supports the diagnosis of CO poisoning in these two cases.
Conclusions:
Clinical assessment, in combination with mathematical exposure modelling, may lead to successful retrospective diagnosis of CO poisoning and identify putative work activities. CO poisoning should be suspected whenever internal combustion engines are used within buildings and workers complain of relevant symptoms. Hospital departments should maintain a high level of vigilance towards such incidents as this, and should routinely undertake a direct measure of the saturation of haemoglobin by CO, i.e. blood carboxyhaemoglobin or breath CO.
Related Concept Videos
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Pneumothorax-I
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives
Assessment of Diffusion and Perfusion
The Role of Diffusion in Respiration
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the respiratory system, this principle...
The Joule and Joule–Thomson Experiments
