Author/Authors :
Nnoli، Martin Anazodo نويسنده Department of Anatomic and Forensic Medicine, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. , , Lebgbosi، Nwidu Lucky نويسنده Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Lebgbosi, Nwidu Lucky , Chukwuonye، Innocent Ijezie نويسنده Department of Internal Medicine/Hematology, Federal Medical Center Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Chukwuonye, Innocent Ijezie , Nwabuko، Collins Ogbonna نويسنده Department of Hematology, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Nwabuko, Collins Ogbonna
Abstract :
Background: This toxicological investigation involves a report on the death of four occupants of a sport utility vehicle on one of the major busy Federal roads of Nigeria where they were held for up to three hours in a traffic jam while the car was steaming.
Methods: Autopsy was executed using the standard procedure and toxicological analysis was done using simple spectrophotometric method to establish the level of carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO) in peripheral blood in the four occupants.
Results: The autopsy report indicated generalized cyanosis, sub-conjuctival hemorrhages, marked laryngo-trachea edema with severe hyperemia with frothy fluid discharges characteristic of carbon monoxide poisoning. Toxicological report of the level of HbCO in part per million (ppm) in the peripheral blood of the four occupants was A= 650 ppm; B= 500 ppm; C= 480 ppm, and D= 495 ppm against the maximum permissible level of 50 ppm.
Conclusion: The sudden death of the four occupants was due to excessive inhalation of the carbon monoxide gas from the exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin of the car. The poor road network, numerous potholes, and traffic jam in most of roads in Nigeria could have exacerbated a leaky exhaust of the smoky second hand SUV car leading to the acute carbon monoxide poisoning.
