CIDCA   05380
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO EN CRIOTECNOLOGIA DE ALIMENTOS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Analysis of toxic agents on polyurethane foam burned and blood samples from victims of a fire episode
Autor/es:
FERRARI L. A. Y GIANNUZZI L.
Lugar:
Izmir
Reunión:
Congreso; 51th Annual Meeting International Association of Forensic Toxicologis (TIAFT).; 2014
Resumen:
Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), total Hemoglobin (tHb), Methemoglobin (MetHb) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were quantified in blood of 32 polyurethane mattress fire victims to elucidate the cause of the death in 2006, in Argentina. Also, we used a standardized chamber (California 117), in order to determine the composition of the lethal atmosphere originated by polyurethane foam combustion. Blood samples from femoral vein were analyzed by CO-oximeter system IL80 (for tHb, MetHb, CO), microdiffusion (for HCN and CO). Blood alcohol (ethanol) and drugs were examined by HS-GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. Also polyurethane foam samples were analyzed, with a special device and according to the standardized method, placed in test tubes of 300 mm x 72 mm x 13mm (thickness). After combustion, gases, Temperature and ignition?s velocity were determined using a XILIX EMMA 2001 Equipment, with validated sensor for CO, O2, CO2, NOx, HC y SO2. Saturation of COHb ranged from 10% to 43%, tHb from 2 to 19.7%, MetHb from 0.10 to 35.7% and HCN from 0.24 to 15 mg/L. The speed of propagation was 109 mm/min. The Total polymer consumption of it is made in three minutes. The flame remained incandescent to total material consumption. O2 (initial: 21%) decreased by 11%; CO increasing to 4000 ppm. Also, the following gases: HC: 574 ppm, SO2: 698 ppm, NOx: 102 ppm, CO2: 4.32%. Temperature in the chamber reaches 102 °C. HCN: more than 250 ppm. Victims death was probably caused in part by HCN, generated during the extensive polyurethane decomposition. In this episode heat was not the cause of death in all victims. Oxygen depletion and the formation of other volatile compounds such as NOx or NO2 were considered. The increase in NOx could explain the increase of blood MetHb On the other hand, we found the following relation for CO and MetHb and no correlation between HCN and MetHb in blood as well. This is a novel estimated relationship between COHb and MetHb in forensic blood samples. Other factors that could contribute to the formation of a lethal atmosphere and compare this disaster with other published fire episodes will be discuss Key Words: carbon monoxide, methemoglobin, hydrogen cyanide, fire smoke, polyurethane burn, blood sample.