July 10, 2006
Carbon monoxide is a "colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas, CO, formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon or a carbonaceous material, such as gasoline." http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carbon%20monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are becoming more common, but even those who already have detectors in their homes may be unaware of other places that CO can be found. "On June 1, 2002,
a family of two adults and three children (two boys aged 4 and 12
years and a girl aged 2 years) and three friends went to a lake
in Georgia to water ski. The ski boat was placed in an idling position
while one parent put on a ski vest. During this time, the girl climbed
over the back of the boat onto the swim platform (a wooden platform
attached to the stern a few inches above the surface of the water)
and lay in a prone position to push back and kick the water. In
<1 minute, she became unconscious and unresponsive. The girl's
father ... performed rescue breathing; after 15--20 assisted ventilations,
the child resumed unassisted breathing. Local emergency medical
services (EMS) personnel were notified. ... During the initial resuscitation
of the girl, her youngest brother was removed from the swim platform
and watched by friends during his sister's transport to the hospital.
Several hours after being removed from the water, he complained
of severe headache, vomited, and fell asleep. He was transported
to the hospital for evaluation. Approximately 4 hours after exposure,
his COHb level was 10.1% [normal: <5.0%]. Back calculations of
COHb levels estimated that the boy's COHb level was 18%--21% immediately
after exposure. Both children were transported to another hospital,
admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and treated with
100% oxygen. They were discharged the following day." In this case the children were outdoors (where people often think they are safe from accumulating CO). In actuality... "Carbon monoxide (CO)
can harm and even kill you inside or outside your boat! "...[C]arbon monoxide poisonings are preventable..." When boating, "Some
Simple Precautions can be taken to avoid exposure to CO: Even those who are not around motor boats still need to be aware of CO. "Carbon monoxide gas
is produced when fossil fuel burns
incompletely because of insufficient oxygen. During
incomplete combustion, the carbon and hydrogen combine to
form carbon dioxide, water, heat, and deadly carbon
monoxide. In properly installed and maintained appliances
gas burns clean and produces only small amounts of carbon
monoxide. Anything which disrupts the burning process or
results in a shortage of oxygen can increase carbon
monoxide production. Wood, coal, and charcoal fires always
produce carbon monoxide, as do gasoline engines." "Wood, coal, and charcoal fires always produce carbon monoxide, as do gasoline engines." It is important to be careful when burning such fuels outside; bringing such combustion inside can be even more dangerous. "On the afternoon
of March 14, 1999, a 51-year-old man, his
10-year-old son, a 9-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl
were found dead inside a zipped-up, 10-foot by 14-foot,
two-room tent at their campsite in southeast Georgia (a pet
dog also died). A propane gas stove, still burning, was
found inside the tent; the stove apparently had been
brought inside to provide warmth. The occupants had died
during the night." Whether camping out or staying home, it is important to remember that some things were not meant for indoor use. "When electricity
goes out during a hurricane or ice storm, people often turn to gasoline-powered
generators for power, use charcoal or gas grills for cooking, or
use kerosene heaters for warmth. But many people do not realize
that those generators, grills and heaters can create dangerous--and
deadly--carbon monoxide gas if used in enclosed areas. ... In an
enclosed space, CO can build up to deadly levels without anyone
noticing it. High levels of CO can kill people in minutes if they
do not immediately get fresh air." It's summer. While some people are boating and camping, others are in the midst of another storm season. "The four major hurricanes
that struck Florida during August 13--September 25, 2004, produced
electric power outages in several million homes. After the hurricanes,
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) investigated six deaths
in Florida attributed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (CPSC, unpublished
data, 2004). The Florida Department of Health and CDC analyzed demographic
and CO exposure data from these fatal poisoning cases and from nonfatal
poisoning cases among 167 persons treated at 10 hospitals, including
two with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) chambers. ... The majority
of nonfatal poisonings occurred overnight, with patients waking
in the early morning with symptoms. ... Medical records indicated
that patients typically used generators to power refrigerators,
fans, and air conditioners while sleeping. Similar exposure patterns
and types of powered appliances were reported among the five incidents
with fatalities." Whether inside or out, camping, or cleaning up after a storm, it is important to know the dangers well enough to avoid them. "It is most important
to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted.
Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings
and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be
used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected
for short periods of time. Questions of the Week:
Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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