SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists

P35
CARBON MONOXIDE AND ETHANOL IN FIVE VICTIMS OF A FIRE FATALITY
Ferrari,L.A.* ,Arado M.G. , Nardo,C.A., .Mirson,D Krbavcic,I & Garrote, LV.
Laboratory of Toxicology & Legal Chemistry, Supreme Court of Justice Province, Buemos Aires,
Argentina. Depart. Toxicology, University of Mor6n, Argentina
Several reports have been published about carbon monoxide and ethanol in fire fatalities, but possible
physiological interaction between these toxic agents is still under discussion. We report a tragic mattress
fire that occurred in a small room at a prison where five young men under the influence of alcohol died.
Blood specimens were obtained from heart of victims and tested for ethanol by headspace gas
chromatography ( HS-GClFlO). Shimadzu GC-14, CR 4A with FlO detector, stainless steel column
packed with 0.3% carbowax 1500 graphapac 60/80 and tert butanol internal standard were used. Percent
of carboxihemoglobin (%COHb) was determined by microdifussion methods. Additionaly, micro
quantitative determination of cyanide was determined according to the method proposed by Gelttler and
Goldbaum. Comprehensive testing for drugs of abuse, psychotopic drugs and other therapeutic drugs was
performed by HPTLC. The %COHb and ethanol (giL) in the five victims were: 60% and 0.54; 35 % and
3.99; 55% and 0.39; 45% and 0.70, 50% and 0.81 respectively. No other components with toxic relevance
were found. According to this study we concluded that there was no evidence for an ethanol protective
effect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keywords: carbon monoxide, ethanol, fire
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