Quincy Officials Warn Of Carbon Monoxide Dangers

From the City of Quincy:

QUINCY, MA — Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream. When an excess of carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, especially in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may permit the carbon monoxide to accumulate to hazardous levels.

If you think you or someone you're with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek emergency medical care immediately.The signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

• Dull headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Loss of consciousness

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for those who are asleep or intoxicated. People may have permanent brain damage or even die before anyone recognizes that there's a problem.

The warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle. But the condition is a life-threatening medical emergency. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by inhaling combustion fumes. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air you're breathing, your body substitutes carbon monoxide for the oxygen in your red blood cells. This prevents oxygen from reaching your tissues and organs.

Numerous fuel-burning appliances and engines produce carbon monoxide. The amount of carbon monoxide produced by these sources usually isn't cause for apprehension. But if they're used in a closed or partially closed space, such as cooking with a charcoal grill indoors, for example, then the carbon monoxide can build up to treacherous levels. Smoke inhalation during a fire also can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

Exposure to carbon monoxide may be particularly dangerous for:

• Unborn babies. Fetal blood cells take up carbon monoxide more readily than adult blood cells do. This makes unborn babies more vulnerable to harm from carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Children. Young children take breaths more frequently than adults do, which may make them more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Older adults. Older people who experience carbon monoxide poisoning may be more prone to develop brain damage.

• People who have chronic heart disease. People with a history of anemia and respiratory problems also are more likely to get sick from exposure to carbon monoxide.

• Those in whom carbon monoxide poisoning leads to unconsciousness. Loss of consciousness indicates more critical exposure.

Depending on the degree and length of time of exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause:

• Permanent brain damage
• Damage to your heart, possibly leading to life-threatening cardiac complications
• Fetal death or miscarriage
• Death

Simple safeguards can help avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install carbon monoxide detectors. Install one in the hallway outside of each sleeping area in your home. Check the batteries every time you check your smoke detector batteries — at least twice a year. If the alarm sounds, leave the house and call 911 or the fire department. Carbon monoxide detectors are also available and recommended for motor homes and boats.

• Open the garage door before starting your car. Never leave your car running in your garage. Be particularly cautious if you have a garage that is attached or underneath your home. Leaving your car running in a space attached to the rest of your house is never safe, even with the garage door open. Have a mechanic check the exhaust system of your car or truck every year. A small leak in the exhaust system can lead to a build-up of CO inside the car.

• Use gas appliances as recommended. Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Use portable gas camp stoves outdoors only. Use fuel-burning space heaters only when someone is awake to monitor them and doors or windows are open to provide fresh air. Don't run a generator in an enclosed space, such as the basement or garage.

• Keep your fuel-burning appliances and engines properly vented. These include:
  • Space heaters
  • Furnaces
  • Charcoal grills
  • Cooking ranges
  • Water heaters
  • Fireplaces
  • Portable generators
  • Wood-burning stoves
  • Car and truck engines

Inquire with your utility company about yearly checkups for all gas appliances, including your furnace.

• If you have a fireplace, keep it in good repair. Clean your fireplace chimney and flue every year.

• Keep vents and chimneys unblocked especially during remodeling. Check that they aren't covered by tarps or debris. Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.

• Make repairs before returning to the site of an incident. If carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred in your home, it's critical to find and repair the source of the carbon monoxide before you reside there again. Your local fire department or utility company may be able to assist you with this.

• Use caution when working with solvents in a closed area. Methylene chloride, a solvent traditionally found in paint and varnish removers, can break down into carbon monoxide when inhaled. Exposure to methylene chloride can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. When working with solvents at home, use them only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas. Carefully read the instructions and follow the safety precautions on the label.

• Be alert in the winter. Never run your engine if the vehicle is partially covered in snow. If the tailpipe is partially obstructed, exhaust may be redirected underneath the vehicle and enter the passenger compartment. Don't repeatedly start and stop your engine in an effort to stay warm. This can actually generate more carbon monoxide than just running it continuously.

This press release was produced by the City of Quincy. The views expressed here are the author’s own.