Expat workers die after inhaling car fumes
11:35AM Thu 8 May, 2014
Sharjah: The three workers who were found dead in a car polishing shop on Tuesday had been living in the shop illegally and died during their sleep, it has been revealed.
The victims — two Bangladeshis and one Egyptian — died after breathing in carbon monoxide from an idling car inside the Al Amen shop, police said.
Their bodies were discovered by a colleague who worked as a salesman when he opened the shop on Tuesday morning.
The Bangladeshi victim was found lying on the bathroom floor, while his compatriot was upstairs and the third victim, an Egyptian, was found downstairs.
All the deceased were in their 30s, police said.
Their bodies were transferred to Al Kuwaiti Hospital and an autopsy was carried out.
“There should not be any laxity in safety procedures and such violations that risk workers’ lives attract severe punishments,” said a police official.
A police examination of the scene revealed that carbon monoxide levels were as high as 70 to 75 per cent. Forensic laboratory reports ruled out foul play.
Colonel Dr Abdul Qader Al Amiri, Director, Forensic Laboratory, Sharjah Police, said: “The result of such inhalation is fatal especially in their case where there was no oxygen in the closed shop.”
‘Silent killer’
He added that carbon monoxide is a silent killer as it has no odour or colour or taste. Once inhaled it blocks vital body functions like respiration and the nervous system.
He said that the gas concentration of about 40-70 per cent in the body would cause severe fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision and difficulties in breathing or heart function while higher concentrations above 70 per cent would cause convulsions, fainting and death.
The case has been referred to the public prosecutor. Col Al Khayal said Sharjah Police will launch an extensive awareness campaign regarding substances that pose a threat to health.
The campaign will reach all establishments and residential facilities and workers’ accommodation to ensure that all places are free of potentially fatal material and that buildings have a fresh supply of air.
Gulf News
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