Abstract
The method described by Whitehead and Worthington (1961) for the determination of carboxyhaemoglobin has been examined and minor modifications are suggested. The sensitivity and specificity of the method has been confirmed at low COHb saturations.
Forty-two non-smokers and 58 smokers were examined at various times of day using this technique. The mean COHb values obtained in the morning prior to smoking were 0.7 per cent. for non-smokers and 1.5 per cent for smokers; the difference in means was highly significant. In the afteroon, smokers gave a mean value of 2.7 per cent. It is calculated that a saturation of 8 per cent. COHb will be achieved “normally” by a smoker only in exceptional circumstances.
The significance of the results in relation to the reconstruction of fatal transportation accidents is briefly discussed.
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