DEATH SCENE GAS-ANALYSIS IN SUSPECTED METHANE ASPHYXIA

Two cases of methane asphyxia occurring in two boys (age 11 and 12 yea rs) who were found at the bottom of a 37-ft (11.1-m)-deep sewer shaft are described. Attempted resuscitation of the first patient was unsucc essful and achieved only temporary stabilization of the second, who di ed 48 h after his discovery. Autopsies revealed relatively minor multi focal traumatic injuries, with evidence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalop athy in the patient who survived for 2 days. Subsequent analysis of ga s in the shaft revealed 21% oxygen at the surface, 14.3% at a depth of 5 ft (1.5 m), and only 4.8% at depths of 10 ft (3 m) and below. Other gases detected at the lower levels were methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide (4.3%). These cases demonstrate the value of atmospheric gas analysis in cases of possible methane asphyxia in confirming the prese nce of methane and in demonstrating levels of oxygen below that necess ary to support life.