2 Workers Hospitalized For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Parsippany Home

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Two men were hospitalized this week after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning while working in a Parsippany basement.

On Monday, just before 10 a.m., police were called to a home on Beachwood Road after a 9-1-1 call reporting a medical emergency.

Authorities found that John Jiron was working nearby when a 53-year-old man at the Beachwood Road home was seeking help for his coworker, who passed out in the basement.

Jiron and the man ran into the basement and dragged the coworker, 44, outside, where he regained consciousness and called the police.

Police said the men looked lethargic and were rushed to the Morristown Medical Center for treatment.

An investigation determined that the two men, working for Angelo Master Masonry LLC, were doing masonry work in the basement for which they were using a gas-powered concrete demo saw. Carbon monoxide built up from the use of the saw in the unventilated basement, authorities added.

Fire Department crews detected readings of over 700 parts per million (ppm) within the structure. For comparison, 35 ppm of carbon monoxide is the workplace exposure limit for an 8-hour workday.

Carbon monoxide exposure of 700 ppm can lead to passing out within an hour and death within three hours, experts say.

The building was ventilated by fire personnel, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the incident.