What percentage of carbon monoxide saturation is generally lethal in healthy adults?

In healthy adults, a carbon monoxide saturation level of 50-80% is typically considered lethal. Carbon monoxide (CO) binds to hemoglobin in the blood much more effectively than oxygen does, leading to hypoxia. At saturation levels within this range, the body's ability to transport oxygen is severely diminished, resulting in critical impairment of vital organ function.

When the saturation levels reach the upper end of this range, not only does the risk of death significantly increase due to respiratory failure, but it also affects the cardiovascular system, leading to potential cardiac arrest. To provide context, saturation levels lower than this can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and confusion, but may not necessarily lead to death.

Understanding the spectrum of carbon monoxide poisoning is crucial for death investigators, as recognizing these saturation levels aids in diagnosing the cause and circumstances of death.