ABSTRACT
A hookah smoker who was treated for severe carbon monoxide poisoning with hyperbaric oxygen reported using a different type of charcoal prior to hospital admission, i.e., quick-light charcoal. This finding led to a study aimed at determining whether CO production differs between charcoals commonly used for hookah smoking, natural and quick-light. Our hypothesis was that quick-light charcoal produces significantly more CO than natural charcoal. A medium-sized hookah, activated charcoal filter, calibrated syringe, CO gas analyzer and infrared thermometer were assembled in series. A single 9-10 g briquette of either natural or quick-light charcoal was placed atop the hookah bowl and ignited. CO output (ppm) and temperature (degrees C) were measured in three-minute intervals over 90 minutes. The mean CO levels produced by quick-light charcoal over 90 minutes was significantly higher (3728 ± 2028) compared to natural charcoal (1730 ± 501 ppm, p = 0.016). However, the temperature was significantly greater when burning natural charcoal (292 ± 87) compared to quick-light charcoal (247 ± 92 degrees C, p = 0.013). The high levels of CO produced when using quick-light charcoals may be contributing to the increase in reported hospital admissions for severe CO poisoning.
Subject(s)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/etiology , Carbon Monoxide/analysis , Charcoal/classification , Smoking/adverse effects , Carbon Monoxide/chemical synthesis , Charcoal/chemistry , Chemical Phenomena , Equipment Design , Hot Temperature , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Research ReportABSTRACT
Pressure-related vision loss has been reported during ascent to altitude. We report the case of an otherwise healthy diver who suffered painless, sudden-onset binocular vision loss at depth, followed by complete recovery immediately upon surfacing. We examine the dive and briefly discuss the differential diagnosis of transient vision loss in the setting of ambient pressure changes. We conclude that the diver likely suffered from sphenoid sinus barotrauma, possibly in association with dehiscence of the bony canals of the optic nerves as they travel in close proximity to the walls of the sphenoid sinus.
