Lethal carbon monoxide generated from small internal combustion engines

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Environmental Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Fuel-burning small engines pose a significant risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in poorly ventilated areas.
• Lethal CO exposure from small engines is a recurring issue in death investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cases of lethal CO poisoning attributed to small internal combustion engines.
• To identify common sources of CO emissions from these engines.
• To assess the limitations of monitoring equipment used by first responders.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed seven fatal CO poisoning cases from 2013-2020.
• Analyzed carboxyhemoglobin saturation using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry.
• Examined the performance of electrochemical gas monitors in real-world scenarios.

Main Results:

• Identified various small engines (generators, forklifts, marine engines, etc.) as CO sources.
• Documented a case where a gas monitor falsely reacted to acetylene, misdirecting the investigation.
• Confirmed the potential for lethal CO concentrations from these devices.

Conclusions:

• Medical examiner case data is crucial for educating first responders on unexpected CO sources.
• First responders must be aware of both the hazards and equipment limitations during CO investigations.
• Enhanced awareness can improve responder safety and accuracy in death investigations.