Occupational asphyxiation by unknown compound(s): Environmental and toxicological approach

Abstract 

During a routine truck-tank washing operation, five healthy workers were found motionless inside an empty tanker. Four of them died inside the tanker while the fifth died the following day in hospital. Since the true nature of the fatal compound(s) were not known, a rigorous environmental and toxicological approach supported by autopsy findings was essential to clarify the cause of death.

Environmental results indicated that H₂S fumes arising from the liquid sulfur previously shipped were responsible for the serial deaths, also confirmed by a simulation performed on two similar truck-tanks.

These environmental findings were supported by toxicological analyses through the measurement of thiosulfate, one of the main H₂S metabolites. Abnormal thiosulfate concentrations from 1.1 to 186.2mg/kg were revealed in all post-mortem biological samples (blood, lung, liver, kidney, brain and fat). Finally, the cluster analysis performed on thiosulfate body distribution contributed to establishing the time of death according to the accident scene reconstruction.

This report presents valuable findings in correctly identifying the cause of death in gas asphyxiation cases by unknown compound(s).

Keywords: Work related death, Environmental findings, Toxicological analyses, Hydrogen sulfide