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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2009

A Capitol Perspective
A column by State Senator Pat Browne
16th Senatorial District

Prevention is key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and tasteless deadly gas produced by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning devices. CO is capable of killing you before you are aware it is affecting you, according to the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner. 

You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes. CO is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous.

However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars.

An annual average of 480 deaths is attributed to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fetuses, infants, elderly people and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible.

Fuel-fired (non-electric) appliances such as gas and oil furnaces, space heaters, clothes dryers, ranges, ovens, water heaters, charcoal grills, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves all produce CO. 

Exhaust fumes from generators, vehicles, lawn-mowers and snow blowers also contain high levels of CO.  Absent proper venting, the presence of cracks in a furnace or blocked vents and chimneys can cause CO to build inside your home. 

Protect your family with the installation of CO detector alarms on each floor of a residence, especially on each sleeping floor. Install additional detectors near, but not within five feet of, major fuel burning appliances. Understand the symptoms of CO poisoning and what to do if you suspect its presence.

At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea and mild headaches, and may have long-term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause.

Here are a few other preventative steps you can take to prevent CO poisoning:

• Never idle a car in a garage – even if the outside garage door is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
• Never use gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
• Never use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors – even in a fireplace.
• Never sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.

 

Contact:          Matt Moyer     (610) 366-2327

State Senator Pat Browne represents the 16th Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.