Oesterhelweg L, Püschel K
Department of Legal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Int J Legal Med. 2008 Mar;122(2):101-7. doi: 10.1007/s00414-007-0172-8. Epub 2007 May 8.
Due to the decomposition of biological material, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is produced. In low concentrations, the well-known smell of "rotten eggs" is associated with H2S. In higher concentrations, H2S is an odourless and colourless gas that may cause rapid loss of consciousness, neurological and respiratory depression and imminent death--"... like a stroke of lightening". Hydrogen sulphide poisoning is an un-common incident that is often associated with colleague fatalities. In this study, 4 fatal accidents with 10 deceased victims are reported and the morphological and phenomenological aspects are presented. In these cases, the morphological findings, namely, discolouration of the livores, pulmonary pathologies and sub-mucosal or sub-serosal congestion bleeding were found in nearly all cases. Also the impending threat for colleagues, first aid helpers and professional rescue teams is demonstrated. The suspicion of a fatal H2S intoxication should be based on a precise scene analysis with respect to the possibility of life-threatening H2S intoxication for the helpers, the typical scent of rotten eggs, which may be noted on the corpses and the abovementioned morphological findings. The diagnosis should be confirmed by a qualitative and, if possible, quantitative analysis of H2S.
由于生物材料的分解，会产生硫化氢（H₂S）。在低浓度时，H₂S会产生众所周知的“臭鸡蛋”气味。在高浓度时，H₂S是一种无色无味的气体，可能会导致迅速失去意识、神经和呼吸抑制以及即将死亡——“……就像一道闪电”。硫化氢中毒是一种罕见事件，常伴有同事死亡。在本研究中，报告了4起导致10人死亡的致命事故，并呈现了形态学和现象学方面的情况。在这些案例中，几乎所有案例都发现了形态学表现，即尸斑变色、肺部病变以及黏膜下或浆膜下充血出血。同时也展示了对同事、急救人员和专业救援团队的潜在威胁。对致命H₂S中毒的怀疑应基于对现场的精确分析，考虑到救援人员面临危及生命的H₂S中毒的可能性、尸体上可能闻到的典型臭鸡蛋气味以及上述形态学表现。诊断应通过对H₂S进行定性分析以及（如有可能）定量分析来确认。
