Carbon monoxide is highly toxic; pulmonologist explains how this type of gas reaches the body
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An autopsy indicates that a carbon monoxide (CO) leak was the cause of the deaths of banker José Bezerra de Menezes Neto, his wife, Luciana Bezerra, and the family dog. The couple was found dead, on Saturday (9), in their summer home located in Guarujá, São Paulo.
According to the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, the Civil Police points out that the monoxide poisoning was caused by the combustion of the gas used to heat the structure’s plumbing systems. Two of the family’s employees said that the pool, bathroom and bedroom heaters run on gas. But the investigations are not over. The specialized police station for criminal investigations in Santos (DEIC) awaits reports from experts who will assess whether the gas piping system was installed correctly.
Lethality of toxic gases
The effects of a gas leak on living beings can be different. It all depends on variables, such as the type of gas inhaled, the concentration, the duration of exposure and other individual factors. Therefore, some gases can take time to cause harm, while others can kill quickly, as happens with carbon monoxide.
“Inhaling toxic gases often leads to a reduction in the amount of oxygen available to the lungs and, consequently, to the body,” explains pulmonologist Michelle Andreata in an interview with Earth.
“This can lead to asphyxia and lack of tissue oxygenation, which is potentially fatal,” he adds.
In these cases, initial symptoms may include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, headache and confusion. Prolonged inhalation can cause damage to the lungs, cardiovascular system and other organs.
With carbon monoxide this risk is even more serious, as the substance is highly toxic and has no color or odor. “When CO binds to hemoglobin, a substance called carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is formed that cannot effectively transport oxygen, resulting in a reduction in the blood’s ability to transport oxygen to the body’s tissues,” Michelle points out.
Given the lethality of the substance, any suspected exposure to carbon monoxide must be treated as a medical emergency by immediately removing the person from the contaminated environment. The pulmonologist points out that the speed with which treatment is administered is also an important factor in the survival of victims of monoxide poisoning.
Death of the couple
José Bezerra de Menezes Neto, known as Binho Bezerra, was 67 years old, and Luciana Bezerra, 62. The two were found by one of their children, Rodrigo Passos Bezerra de Menezes, who was also present on the property.
According to Estadão, he found it strange that his parents took so long to wake up, and when he went to look for them in the room, he found them dead. The dog was also lifeless next to the bed.
The publication states that Rodrigo sought help from a doctor, a resident of the luxury condominium where the family was staying. The professional tried to resuscitate the couple, but without success. He called the mobile emergency service (Samu), which confirmed the death.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
