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Carbon Monoxide Toxicity after Lighting Coals at a Hookah Bar

  • Toxicology Observation
  • Published:
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Abstract

Introduction

Unintentional non-fire-related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings continue to account for a significant health and economic burden in the United States. While most of these poisonings are related to faulty central heating or water heaters in private dwellings, less common sources should also be considered when a patient presents with any signs or symptoms suggestive of CO toxicity.

Case Report

The authors present a case where a patient was found to have severe CO poisoning, a COHgb level of 33.8 %, after lighting coals for a water pipe called a hookah. The patient was initially unconscious and was found to have electrocardiogram (ECG) changes consistent with cardiac ischemia that resolved following treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Discussion

In recent years, hookah bars have gained in popularity, especially in urban areas and around college campuses. This was the first case to identify the potential occupational exposure of employees working at hookah bars to CO. Furthermore, the patient's COHb level of 33.8 % was higher than any previously reported in the literature with exposure via hookah pipe. The practitioner should consider CO poisoning in patients who smoke tobacco via a hookah and consider early hyperbaric oxygen therapy in those experiencing significant symptoms.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no commercial associations or sources of support that might pose a conflict of interest. There are no sources of funding for this project. There have been no previous presentations of data or findings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Midwestern University, 555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL, 60615, USA

    Ryan Misek, Ryan Misek & Christine Patte

  2. Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA

    Christine Patte

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  1. Ryan Misek
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  2. Christine Patte
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Correspondence to Ryan Misek.

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Misek, R., Patte, C. Carbon Monoxide Toxicity after Lighting Coals at a Hookah Bar. J. Med. Toxicol. 10, 295–298 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-013-0368-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-013-0368-x

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