Carbon Monoxide in Edgewood Sends 2 to Hospital: Officials

Two people were hospitalized Sunday night due to elevated carbon monoxide levels in an Edgewood residence, officials said. Both were in stable condition, according to the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company.

At approximately 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, the fire company responded to the 1800 block of Edgewater Drive in Edgewood, where a carbon monoxide detector had activated, and crews reported finding elevated levels of carbon monoxide in an apartment.

Carbon monoxide is a gas that comes from heating and cooking equipment. If fuel-burning devices are working improperly or there is inadequate ventilation, carbon monoxide may rise to harmful levels, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause flu-like symptoms and death.

Due to elevated carbon monoxide levels in a top-floor apartment, natural gas was shut off to the unit and maintenance was called, the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company reported. There were no other elevated carbon monoxide level readings found in other apartments at the three-story apartment building, according to the fire company.

As a result of the incident, a woman was taken to Upper Chesapeake and a man was transported to the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma facility, according to the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company, which reported the individuals were in stable condition. The man may have had carbon monoxide poisoning, while the woman was taken to the hospital as a precaution, the fire company reported.

Find more information on carbon monoxide poisoning causes and symptoms here from the Environmental Protection Agency.

See Also:

• 4 Hospitalized in One Day from Carbon Monoxide; Harford Exec Says Generators Among ‘Major Concerns’
• Joppa-Magnolia Helps Install 123 Smoke Alarms in Edgewood
• Harford County School System Passes on SHCO’s Offer for Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors