Asphyxiants (Irrespirable Gases)

By: Abdur Rehman

PhD Scholar
Biochemistry

7/11/2021 Toxicology & Forensic Serology 1

 Asphyxiants
• Asphyxiants mainly produce respiratory
embarrassment; important asphyxiants include
– Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Reduce oxygen carrying capacity
– Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Lack of oxygen in tissue
– Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
• Paralyses respiratory center

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 Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Colorless, odorless, non irritant gas
• Cant perceived by senses
• Incomplete combustion of carbon & organic
matter=Carbon monoxide
• Sources; illuminating gas, oil heater, gas heater,
vehicle engine etc

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 Carbon Monoxide (CO) cont..
• CO has 200-300 time higher affinity to Oxygen
• Displace oxygen form carboxy hemoglobin more
stable
• Ultimately result in anoxia
• Recent studies showed dissolved CO interfere vital
enzyme

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 Sign & Symptoms

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Here’s What You Need To Know | Just Boilers dated 11-
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 Sign & Symptoms
COHb
Symptoms
% Saturation
0-10 No appreciable Symptoms
10-20 Breath shortness, mild headache, flushed skin
Throbbing headache, buzzing in ear, dulling of senses, muscle
20-30
weakness
Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, breathlessness, incoordination,
30-40
muscle weakness, dim vision, impaired judgment
Symptoms intensified, may be mistaken with drunk, mental confusion,
40-50
memory loss, palpitation and dyspnea
Intermittent asphyxia convulsion, coma, Cheyne-Stokes respiration,
50-70
respiratory paralysis & deathToxicology & Forensic Serology
>70
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 Diagnosis of CO

https://www.verywellhealth.com/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-diagnosis
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 Blood Test
• A layer of 1-2 cm paraffin added immediately after
blood collection

Method 1: a suspected sample diluted with

four times its volume of water & add few
drops of 3 % aqueous tannic acid to
solution and shaken well
If >10 % CO present, it form pinkish white
precipitate
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 Blood Test

Method 2: A suspected blood sample diluted

with 20 times its volume of water & 10
drops of 10 % caustic soda added to it.
Normal blood becomes greenish brown but
Blood containing >10 % CO retains its
bright red color as no methemoglobin is
formed

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 Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
• This is heavy, colorless, odorless & Poison gas
• Result from complete combustion of carbon
containing compounds
• Formed due to fermentation & decomposition of
organic matter
• Sources; refrigerating plants, manholes, wells, re-
breathing close spaces
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 CO2 Poisoning cont…
• Pure CO2 inhalation may cause vagal inhibitory
response, spasm of glottis , instant death
• > 50%CO2 may result immediate unconsciousness &
death from deficiency of oxygen supply to brain &
tissues
• Unexpected death from CO2 under anesthesia

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 Hydrogen Sulphide Poisoning
• Sulphurated gas; a colorless gas with rotten egg smell
• Found if Sulphur containing compound under decay
• Such as sewers, tannery vats , formed during artificial silk
manufacturing etc
• Formed in human intestine during life and due to
putrefaction after death
• Converts oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin &
sulphmethemoglobin after death
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 H2S Poisoning Cont..
• If pure H2S inhaled death occur at once
• Result in paralysis of the respiratory Centre
• A 0.2 % concentration in air proved fatal in few
minutes

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 Reference
• Text book of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic medicine and Toxicology, BV Subrahmanym Seventh edition

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