Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology (대한임상독성학회지)

Korean society of Clincal Toxicology (대한임상독성학회)
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Effect on blood heavy metal concentration in gas poisoning by combustion of ignition coal: Pilot study

착화탄 연소에 의한 가스 중독 환자에서 혈중 중금속 농도의 영향에 대한 예비연구

  • Lee, Sang Hwan (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Lee, Juncheol (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Cho, Yongil (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Ko, Byuk Sung (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Oh, Jaehoon (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University) ;
  • Kang, Hyunggoo (Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University)
  • 이상환 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 이준철 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 조용일 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 고벽성 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 오재훈 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실) ;
  • 강형구 (한양대학교 의과대학 응급의학교실)
  • Received : 2021.01.08
  • Accepted : 2021.11.17
  • Published : 2021.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: It is known that the most common cause of gas poisoning in Korea is suicide attempts by burning ignition coals. Ignition coals are made from waste wood, and studies have been reported that heavy metals are emitted when this coal is burned. However, there was no study on how much heavy metal poisoning occurs in the human body through this, so this study was planned to find out whether the concentration of heavy metals in the blood increased in patients exposed to ignition coal combustion. Methods: From April 2020 to April 2021, blood lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations were investigated in carbon monoxide poisoning patients who visited one regional emergency medical center in Seoul, and their association with exposure time, source of poisoning, and rhabdomyolysis were investigated. Results: During the study period, a total of 136 carbon monoxide poisoning patients were tested for heavy metals, and 81 cases of poisoning by ignition coal were reported. When comparing poisoning caused by combustion of ignition coal and other substances, there was no difference in the concentrations of lead, mercury, and cadmium in the blood, and there was no difference in the number of patients above the reference range. However, the patients exposed to more than 5 hours of ignition coal gas exposure are more frequent than those in the group less than 5 hours in lead (51.4% vs. 23.9%, p=0.012). Conclusion: Compared to poisoning with other combustible substances, the blood concentration of lead, mercury, and cadmium does not increase further in patients with gas poisoning by ignition coal. However, prolonged exposure may result in elevated levels of lead.

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