Objective To analyze the cause of a carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that occurred in a family road trip, and to reduce similar incidences.
Methods Epidemiological investigation, hygiene survey, and field test were conducted.
Results Six patients presented clinical symptoms suggested carbon monoxide poisoning and were discharged from hospital afer one or two days' treatment. The results of field test revealed that the car had been modified with an exhaust pipe hidden inside and hanging slightly higher than the bottom edge of the car body shell. The CO concentration reached 132.5 mg/3 in the car after it started 10 minutes.
Conclusion The incident is identified as an acute CO poisoning caused by improper car modification induced automobile exhaust inhalation. Official qualified automobile modification workshops are recommended to the public.
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