Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts
Published on: February 7, 2017
Formic acid: a rare but deadly source of carbon monoxide poisoning
Chen-Chang Yang1, Jiin Ger, Chun-Fang Li
1National Yang-Ming Uinversity, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. ccyang@vghtpe.gov.tw
Introduction:
Formic acid decomposes upon contact with strong acids producing carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning from such a source, however, is extremely rare.
Case Report:
A 26-year-old man committed suicide by mixing 2.5 L of formic acid and 2.5 L of sulfuric acid in three beakers and staying in a closed room. The 53-year-old father performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on his son but soon lost consciousness. In hospital, he initially manifested coma, hypoxemia, metabolic acidosis, and a carboxyhemoglobin level of 45.8%. He was treated with hyperbaric oxygen but developed acute respiratory distress syndrome on day four despite an early improvement. He was successfully weaned from the ventilator on day 8. The 53-year-old mother felt dizziness, headache and had a carboxyhemoglobin level of 23.0%. Her symptoms improved after oxygen therapy.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Formic acid is a highly fatal source of carbon monoxide poisoning when mixed with sulfuric acid. In addition to the toxicities of carbon monoxide, concomitant inhalation of formic acid fumes can cause severe lung injury, which may complicate the management of carbon monoxide poisoning.
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...
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Acute Respiratory Failure-I
Definition: It is defined by specific criteria based on blood gas measurements. Hypoxemia happens when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) falls below 60 mmHg. At the same time,...
Inhalation Anthrax
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Physical Properties of Amines
