[Attempt to estimate risks of fatal poisoning on the basis of HCN and HbCO concentrations in blood of fire victims]

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2003 Jan-Mar;53(1):9-17.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Using the results of HCN and HbCO concentrations in the blood of 174 deceased found in different burning spaces and 35 people with symptoms of poisoning evacuated from the scene of a fire and then admitted to hospital. The correlation between blood concentration of both these xenobiotics and death or chance of survival in a fire was estimated by statistical analysis. An attempt was made to define a value of so-called "cut-off" points for HbCO and HCN by independence test chi 2 with Yates's correction. Point and interval estimations (95% Comfield's confidence interval) were used for the odds ratio (OR). The research showed that there was a strict statistical correlation between the chance of survival and death risks dependent on blood concentrations of HCN and HbCO in all the groups examined.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Carboxyhemoglobin / metabolism*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Fires*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Cyanide / blood*
  • Hydrogen Cyanide / poisoning*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Poland
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hydrogen Cyanide
  • Carboxyhemoglobin