High Carbon Monoxide Levels Found In Tysons Building

Firefighters are responded to a Tysons building with high carbon monoxide levels Wednesday morning.

The commercial building in the 8300 block of Greensboro Drive had elevated readings of the odorless, colorless gas, which can poison people and animals. The source turned out to be workers using a gas-powered pressure washer inside a parking parade.

No one was injured in the building. The situation is now stable, and fire crews are ventilating the building.

The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is greater during the winter months, as the gas is produced by burning fuel in appliances like cars, stoves, grills fireplaces or furnaces and can build up indoors, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are some actions the CDC recommends to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector and replace the battery each spring and fall.
• Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.
• If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator have an expert service it. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean it could be leaking CO.
• When you buy gas equipment, buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
• Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly to prevent CO from leaking.
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year to prevent CO from building up.
• Do not patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else.
• Never use a gas range or oven for heating.
• Never burn charcoal indoors, since it gives off CO.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.

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