Asphyxia due to Oxygen Deficiency in the Cargo-hold Shipping Wood.

Kim, Dong Hoon; Kim, Ki Kwon; Jang, Tae Jung; Kim, Jung Ran; Lee, Goo; Kim, Soo Keun; Lim, Hyun Sul

Original article

Korean Journal of Legal Medicine 2001;25(1):40-43.
Published online May 31, 2001.

Asphyxia due to Oxygen Deficiency in the Cargo-hold Shipping Wood.

Dong Hoon Kim, Ki Kwon Kim, Tae Jung Jang, Jung Ran Kim, Goo Lee, Soo Keun Kim, Hyun Sul Lim

¹Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University.
²Department of internal medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University.
³Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University.

Abstract

Oxygen deficiency has been frequent in a closed space. Wood consumes oxygen and discharges carbon dioxide instead of photosynthesis in closed space without light, so do some microorganisms on the surface. We experienced a case that a healthy insect-proofer fell down and died of asphyxia on stair-board at 7 m below the hatch of the cargo-hold shipping wood. Analysis of gases in cargo-hold revealed O2; 12.3%, CO; 105 ppm, CH4; 2.7%, and H2S; 1.9% at 1 m below the hatch, and then O2; 6.1%, CO; 220 ppm, CH4; 2.9%, and H2S; 2.3 ppm at 2.5 m below the hatch. Autopsy findings were unremarkable. We justiced the cause of death asphyxia due to oxygen deficiency. As seen in this case, the serious oxygen deficiency was accounted for oxygen consumption by wood and microorganisms.

Key Words: Asphyxia, Oxygen Deficiency, Carbon Dioxide, Cargo-Hold, Wood