Carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in Shanghai, China: A 10-year epidemiological and comparative study with the Wuhan sample

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common cause of death globally. However, CO poisoning deaths in the Mainland China are rarely studied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the incidence trend of CO poisoning deaths that occurred in Pudong for a 10-year period (2005–2014). Using official police data, a total of 139 CO poisoning events that resulted in the death of 176 victims are collected. By comparing the data from Shanghai with the previous one from Wuhan, this study presents the most up-to date information about CO poisoning deaths that happened in China. The result indicates that the CO poisoning death rate in the study area in China is in the low level around the globe. Features of fire-related CO poisoning deaths are similar between the two mega cities, but in nonfire-related CO poisoning deaths, there are some distinguishing regional features. This study also found that the CO poisoning suicides by burning coal or charcoal is increasing sharply in recent years, especially in considering about the higher rate of burning charcoal suicides in the regions around the Mainland China. Certain precautious should be taken to prevent the growing trend of coal or charcoal burning suicides in future.

Keywords

• carbon monoxide poisoning death
• nonfire-related co poisoning
• fire-related co poisoning
• carbon monoxide death rate