Time for death by carbon monoxide poisoning (for a school project)?

Question

How long would it take an average adult male to die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning by charcoal burning from a small grill or something similar (as has become popular in Japan in recent years), and is there an equation for calculating this (even a rough one will do)? Note: I AM -NOT- suicidal. This is for a summer paper (fictional story) I'm writing for my psychology class, in which a character attempts to kill himself in this manner. The catch is, EVERYTHING has to be scientifically accurate, and I have to be able to prove it. Most of the story is done except for this scene's details, which is pretty much the only part I'm having trouble with. As far as other variables go, I'm going to say this is in a small room (say 6x12 ft.), with little to no ventilation. Again, I am NOT suicidal. Thanks.

Answer 1

It depends on the amount of carbon monoxide in the room; the time of death can vary from less than 2 hours to less than 3 minutes. The brain can only go for 3 minutes without oxygen before it starts to die.

For your story I would give a time of 2 hours for the person to commit suicide. The act is intentional so the person will stay in the room unitl the point of death, probably falling asleep in 3/4 the time. Your hero has less then two hours to save your suicidal character, if they can.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning
"The effects of carbon monoxide in parts per million are listed below:

35 ppm (0.0035%) Headache and dizziness within six to eight hours of constant exposure
100 ppm (0.01%) Slight headache in two to three hours
200 ppm (0.02%) Slight headache within two to three hours
400 ppm (0.04%) Frontal headache within one to two hours
800 ppm (0.08%) Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes. Insensible within two hours.
1,600 ppm (0.16%) Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 20 minutes. Death in less than two hours.
3,200 ppm (0.32%) Headache, dizziness and nausea in five to ten minutes. Death within 30 minutes.
6,400 ppm (0.64%) Headache and dizziness in one to two minutes. Death in less than 20 minutes.
12,800 ppm (1.28%)Unconciousness after 2-3 breaths. Death in less than three minutes.

In addition, a recent report concludes that carbon monoxide exposure can lead to significant loss of lifespan after exposure due to damage to the heart muscle."

Note: we can thank the Nazis for most of this research since carbon monoxide poisoning was the first method they tried to use in their "final solution;" the extermination of the Jewish race.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning
"As carbon monoxide poisoning via car exhaust has become less of a suicide option, there has been an increase in new methods of carbon monoxide poisoning such as burning charcoal or other fossil fuels within a confined space, such as a small room, tent, or car. Such incidents have occurred mostly in connection with group suicide pacts in both Japan and Hong Kong, but are starting to occur in western countries as well, such as the 2007 suicide of Boston lead singer Brad Delp." The police report that was cited did not list the time of death or the time it took to die.

Answer 2

Charcoal Carbon Monoxide

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Time for death by carbon monoxide poisoning (for a school project)?
How long would it take an average adult male to die from Carbon Monoxide poisoning by charcoal burning from a small grill or something similar (as has become popular in Japan in recent years), and is there an equation for calculating this (even a rough one will do)? Note: I AM -NOT- suicidal. ...

Answer 4

Time for death would probably be the equivalent to slow loss of oxygen in the room and at that point suffication type symptoms of the human body, with full failure of respiration within 10 minutes... (just a general guess here) Its going to be a bit hard to have a scientifically accurate story here as its still unknown to a full extent on just how carbon monoxide interacts with the human body, but here is a quote from Wikipedia on the subject: "Carbon monoxide is a significantly toxic gas and is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries. Exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart." It seems to inhibit the nerves and not allow oxygen to flow to various organs within the body. To read up more, head over to the Wikipedia site, at least thats a start to finding your answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide

-Gordo

Answer 5

It would have been painless, yes, but it would have taken some time. The carbon monoxide would have taken time to fill the entire garage and basically out-number (so to speak) the oxygen in the air.