Citation

Menke NB, Fitzpatrick K, Lynch MJ, King AM. New Engl. J. Med. 2015; 373(11): 1082.

Affiliation

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Massachusetts Medical Society)

DOI

10.1056/NEJMc1507473

PMID

26352827

Abstract

“Mud bogging” is an off-road motorsport in which drivers navigate vehicles over a muddy pit or track. Immobilization of these vehicles occurs frequently and may cause exhaust pipes to become clogged with mud. Subsequent permeation of carbon monoxide throughout the cabin places occupants at risk for serious toxic effects. The hazards of mud bogging were recently highlighted by the death of Shain Gandee, a cast member of the MTV series Buckwild.1 We report two incidents, each affecting two people, in which serious carbon monoxide poisoning occurred as a result of mud bogging...

...Mud bogging may place participants at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Clinicians should increase their suspicion of carbon monoxide poisoning when assessing patients with otherwise unexplained symptoms who have recently participated in this activity. Although there are no available supportive data, it is reasonable to expect that maximizing ventilation in the passenger cabin by keeping windows open at all times and using portable carbon monoxide detectors may reduce exposure and prevent toxic effects.

Language: en