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Lethal carbon monoxide toxicity in a concrete shower unit

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Abstract

A 47-year-old previously-well woman was found dead on the floor of a shower cubicle on a property in rural South Australia. The impression of the attending doctor and police was of collapse due to natural disease. Although there was significant stenosing coronary artery atherosclerosis found at autopsy, cherry pink discoloration of tissues prompted measurement of the blood carboxyhemoglobin level which was found to be 55%. The source of the gas was a poorly-maintained hot water heater that was mounted on the inside wall of the shower. Construction of the shower using an impermeable concrete rain water tank had caused gas accumulation when the water heater malfunctioned. Had lethal carbon monoxide exposure not been identified others using the same shower unit would also have been at risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forensic Science SA, GPO Box 2790, Adelaide, 5001, Australia

    Karen Heath & Roger W. Byard

  2. School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Frome Rd, Adelaide, 5005, Australia

    Karen Heath & Roger W. Byard

  3. School of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Level 3 Medical School North Building, Frome Road, Adelaide, 5005, Australia

    Roger W. Byard

Authors
  1. Karen Heath
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  2. Roger W. Byard
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Correspondence to Roger W. Byard.

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This paper was approved by Forensic Science SA.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Heath, K., Byard, R.W. Lethal carbon monoxide toxicity in a concrete shower unit. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 15, 133–135 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9990-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-018-9990-x

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