Toxicological Study for Blood Cyanide and Carboxyhemoglobin Levels in the Fire- related Fatalities

  • Baeck, Seung-Kyung (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigation) ;
  • Kim, Dong-Woo (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Kim, Sun-Chun (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Park, Woo-Yong (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Jin, Kwang-Ho (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Chung, Young-Ho (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Park, Yun-Shin (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigatio) ;
  • Seo, Joong-Seok (Central District Office of National Institute of Scientific Investigation)
  • Published : 2003.04.01

Abstract

The most common cause of death in fires is the inhalation of noxious gases rather than thermal injury. Carbon monoxide is well-known toxic component in fire atmospheres. However, the importance of hydrogen cyanide(HCN) as a toxic agent in the fire related fatalities(FRF) is under discussion. HCN is known to be produced in fires involving by the pyrolysis of polyacrylonitril (PAN) and other nitrogen-containing polymer. (omitted)

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