A person may die in a grain silo by a number of mechanisms. A postmortem examination can help to determine the cause.
Examination of the silo atmosphere and contents can be helpful in some situations.
Factors which may contribute to a death associated with a grain silo:
(1) depleted oxygen concentration
(2) fumigants
(3) asthma attack triggered by exposure to fungal spores related to moldy grain
(4) intoxication from drugs or alcohol
(5) trauma, especially blow to the head
(6) heart attack or syncope
(7) homicide (hands tied, sedation, blow to head, etc) or suicide
(8) Hantavirus
(9) grain drowning
(10) high environmental temperature
In grain drowning it is important to carefully examine the airways. In many situations grain or dust may be found in smaller bronchi. Occasionally a mass may form that blocks the trachea or upper airway.
