Analysis of carbon monoxide

The degree of exposure to carbon monoxide is most often assessed by measuring the blood carboxyhaemoglobin saturation. This measurement is relevant to investigations of acute accidental or deliberate poisoning and of chronic exposure in a domestic or work place environment. Simple spectrophotometric methods based on differential protein precipitation or dithionite reduction are prone to interference from other haemoglobin pigments and are imprecise for low-level estimations. Automated spectrophotometric devices (CO-oximeters) that estimate simultaneously total haemoglobin, percentage oxyhaemoglobin and percentage carboxyhaemoglobin have acceptable accuracy for carboxyhaemoglobin saturation levels of > 5% and are recommended for most clinical purposes. For the investigation of low-level exposure and the detection of increased haemolysis in neonates, more sensitive methods involving the release of carbon monoxide and its measurement by gas chromatography are required. Gas chromatographic methods are also appropriate when examining post-mortem blood samples where putrefaction or heat stress has resulted in a significant change in haemoglobin composition.

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Evaluation of the Methods Used for Carboxyhemoglobin Analysis in Postmortem Blood

International Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1080/10915810591007256 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 275-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Vassiliki A. Boumba ◽

Theodore Vougiouklakis

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Forensic Toxicology ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Spectrophotometric Methods ◽

Detection Systems ◽

Acceptable Accuracy ◽

Postmortem Blood ◽

Criteria For Evaluation ◽

Automated Instruments

Numerous methods have been described in the literature for the determination of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in whole blood. The most popular and widely used have been (1) the spectrophotometric methods, which could be performed either by using a conventional spectrophotometer or by using specialized automated instruments known as CO-oximeters; (2) the gas chromatographic methods, with variable detection systems, which have been considered as the reference methods for every carbon monoxide analysis. The authors have critically reviewed previously reported comparative studies on these methods, considering statistical and analytical matters, in order to propose the best method for the determination of COHb in postmortem blood, that could be utilized in forensic toxicology laboratories where such analyses are limited in number (less than 20 per year). Criteria for evaluation have been accuracy, reliability, simplicity, time, and cost. The authors’ concluding statement has been that the manual spectrophotometric method could be the method of choice for COHb determination in postmortem blood samples. It is simple, rapid, and reliable and fulfills the forensically acceptable accuracy. It is performed by the use of a conventional spectrophotometer, which is considered a basic instrument in every analytical laboratory.

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Fire Deaths in the Glasgow Area: II the Role of Carbon Monoxide

Medicine Science and the Law ◽

10.1177/002580248102100407 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 288-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

R. A. Anderson ◽

A. A. Watson ◽

W. A. Harland

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Hydrogen Cyanide ◽

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Advanced Coronary Artery Disease

In a study of fire deaths in the Glasgow area, 163 cases have been submitted to post-mortem pathological and toxicological examination. Carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations were measured in blood samples from these fatalities and also from groups of non-fatal fire casualties, firemen and controls. The results showed that 85 per cent of the fatal cases had inhaled some carbon monoxide and death could be attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning in 52 per cent of the cases. There appeared to be no contribution to the toxicity of carbon monoxide from hydrogen cyanide, ethanol or the age of the victim but there was some evidence that advanced coronary artery disease may cause a lowering of the fatal threshold for carbon monoxide poisoning.

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If it doesn't show: is it there? Litigating chronic exposure to low-level carbon monoxide emissions

Medicine Science and the Law ◽

10.1258/msl.2012.012128 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 110-111

Author(s):

Jacqueline A. Perry

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Chronic Exposure ◽

Low Level

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Study of Carbon Monoxide Intoxication in Fire Victimis

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.17.12.6010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 68 (12) ◽

pp. 2932-2935

Author(s):

Sofia David ◽

Anton Knieling ◽

Calin Scripcaru ◽

Madalina Diac ◽

Ion Sandu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Carbon Monoxide Intoxication ◽

Gas Poisoning ◽

The World ◽

Fire Victims ◽

In Fire

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity of toxic origin in the world. Its insidious and polymorphic symptomatology makes it difficult to diagnose. It occurs accidentally, because of non-supervised domestic fires, or in fire victims. In fire victims, in particular, the differential diagnosis between carbon monoxide gas poisoning, inhalation of other toxic products of combustion like cyanide, oxygen deprivation, thermal burns and shock due to burns as a cause of death is not an easy task. The authors examined 107 fire victims that were autopsied at the Forensic Medicine from Iasi, Romania, in the last 10 years (2007-2016). Most cases were males (69.16%), young (0-9 years) or older than 60 with a burned surface of 91-100% in 68.22% of cases. Blood samples from the cadavers were collected in all cases in order to analyse carboxyhaemoglobin concentration and haemolysis. Toxicological analysis revealed a carboxyhaemoglobin level of maximum 95% but the majority of cases (70.72%) had a concentration inferior to 50%. An inverse correlation was identified between carboxyhaemoglobin concentration and haemolysis, an indicator of heat dissociation. Our study proves that many fire victims may die because of carbon monoxide intoxication prior to the extent of burns at a lethal potential.

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Memory disturbances following chronic, low-level carbon monoxide exposure

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/5.1.59 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 59-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

C. M. Ryan

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Low Level

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Effect of low-level NO2 chronic exposure on elastase-induced emphysema

Environmental Research ◽

10.1016/s0013-9351(87)80059-2 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 75-84 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C. Lafuma ◽

A. Harf ◽

F. Lange ◽

L. Bozzi ◽

J.L. Poncy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Exposure ◽

Low Level

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Evidence of Regeneration of Testicular and Epididymal Tissue Structure and Function Following Withdrawal from Sub-chronic Khat Exposure: Studies in the Rabbit Animal Model

Journal of Applied Life Sciences International ◽

10.9734/jalsi/2020/v23i930183 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 10-23

Author(s):

Albert W. Nyongesaa ◽

Esther M. Malukib ◽

Jemimah A. Simbaunib

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Chronic Exposure ◽

Structure And Function ◽

The Body ◽

Endocrine Function ◽

Eastern Africa ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Middle East Countries ◽

Group I ◽

And Function

Khat, Catha edulis, use is rampant in Eastern Africa and Middle East countries with associated reports of reproductive function impairment in the body of the user. Reports on recovery post long-term khat exposure are obscure. The present study investigated evidence of restoration of testicular and epididymal structure and function during withdrawal from cytotoxic damage caused by sub-chronic exposure of khat extract. Twenty-eight male rabbits were divided into 7 groups of 4 rabbits each. Group I (control) was administered normal saline while groups II, III and IV were administered 1.0 g/kg, 10 g/kg and 20 g/kg body weight of khat extract, respectively, via oral gavage on alternate days of the week for 12 weeks. Blood samples from animals were collected for hormonal assays followed by euthanasia using 26.4 mg/kg body weight of Sagatal sodium intramuscularly for testicular and epididymal histology. Group V, VI and VII were administered 1.0 g/kg, 10 g/kg and 20 g/kg body weight of khat extract, respectively, orally on alternate days of the week for 12 weeks followed by 1-month withdrawal period, blood samples collected for hormone assays and animals sacrificed for testicular and epididymal histology. High khat dose, 20 g/kg body weight, at sub-chronic exposure caused degeneration in spermatogenic cells with accompanying decrease in plasma FSH and testosterone. Histological output of Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and epididymal epithelium appeared unaffected in treatment groups. Post withdrawal data showed apparent regeneration of seminiferous epithelium and restoration of plasma FSH and testosterone comparable to control. It appears khat extract preferentially affected germ cell spermatogonia and subsequent daughter cells while stem cell spermatogonia were unaffected and contributed to regeneration of germinal epithelium and endocrine function.

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Respiratory profile and gill histopathology of Carassius auratus exposed to different salinity concentrations

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n5p2993 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 2993-3006

Author(s):

Weliton Vilhalba da Silva ◽

◽

Henrique Momo Ziemniczak ◽

Flávia Barbieri Bacha ◽

Rudã Brandão Santos Fernandes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Exposure ◽

Lamellar Structure ◽

Carassius Auratus ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Pathological Changes ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Gill Histopathology ◽

Interlamellar Space ◽

Gill Morphology ◽

Ionic Imbalance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic salinity tolerance of Carassius auratus and the effects on blood parameters, gill morphology, and survival. In the first test, nine different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g L-1) of NaCl were used with nine repetitions for 96 h. The survival of fish subjected to 15 g L-1 NaCl was 4 h, and 5 min at a concentration of 25 g L-1. The mortality of fish with 15 g L-1 NaCl was 100%. Morphological analyses of the gills showed hyperplasia of the coated cells in the interlamellar space and hypersecretion of mucus in fish exposed to 10 g L-1 of NaCl. At concentrations of 20 and 25 g L-1, necrosis of the support collagen caused the cells to detach from the lamellar structure mucosa. In the chronic test, two concentrations were used, with four replications containing nine fish in each aquarium for a period of 21 days. Blood samples and gills from the fish were collected, and it was observed that the fish showed a decrease in the concentration of bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in the blood, indicating hypernatremia. Acute exposure of C. auratus to sodium chloride (NaCl) should be at a maximum of 10 g L-1 of NaCl, after which level there would be a loss in animal performance and/or mortality. Chronic exposure to 5 g L-1 of NaCl promotes acidemia, ionic imbalance, and pathological changes in the gills; therefore, it is not recommended.

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