Monday, January 29, 2007

Beware the silent, winter danger

By Jennifer Meyer, Times Staff Writer
01/26/2007

It's a killer, empowered by ignorance.

A chemist could explain to us the complexities behind carbon monoxide's lethal potency, how the gas delays oxygen delivery from the lungs to body tissues and why children, who breathe more rapidly than adults, die sooner when exposed.But even scientists say we need just a few facts, a short list of "don'ts" to save our lives from the deadly gas we can't smell or see.

First on the list? All cases of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning are readily preventable, according to a report from the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Be especially vigilant in winter, keeping in mind two principal sources of CO - an inefficient or faulty-operating furnace and exhaust fumes from gas-powered vehicles, said Melanie Smith, public information officer for the La Vista Volunteer Fire Department.

When temperatures alternate between warm and cold, as they have done this winter, furnaces run inconsistently and therefore, less efficiently, she said. Because carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion, blocked flues and faulty furnace or duct repair work can hike the gas to toxic levels. Watch for initial symptoms of poisoning such as dizziness, nausea and a headache that circles the head like a headband, Smith said.

"Carbon monoxide is measured in parts per million, and you start feeling sick at levels of 150 to 250 parts per million.[actually much less than that especially over an extended period of time]"Even more frightening, according to the AIHA, is the fact that CO victims may experience none of these warnings and may simply fall asleep, never regaining consciousness.

The La Vista Volunteer Fire Department has responded to 10 carbon monoxide calls since Jan 1 of this year, Smith said."Approximately 60 to 70 of our calls each winter deal with carbon monoxide," she said. "It's a mix of detectors going off , where we'll go in and find low levels of CO, or we respond with a rescue squad because someone's not feeling well and when we get there, we find the whole family sick, an indication of high CO levels."

As part of their standard procedure, firefighters enter a carbon monoxide scene in full gear, exactly as they would with a fire, Smith said."At a measurement of 20 parts per million, we suspect CO and call the gas company to check the gas line," she said. "We usually let the professionals handle that end of the problem."

Exhaust fumes from the garage in winter can jeopardize oxygen levels as well. "Even if you turn the car off, but shut the garage door immediately without giving the space a chance to air out, CO gets trapped and can seep into the home - for example, if the door leading from the house into the garage is left open," Smith said. "A simple remedy is to leave the garage door up for a few minutes after turning off the car."

Power outages pose another menace - think carefully before you use a campfire stove, a kerosene space heater or a gas fireplace for the first time."These are huge potential problems for carbon monoxide," Smith said. "Open a window as a precaution if you use them. Older homes tended to be drafty so that helped, but now houses are so tightly sealed there's nowhere for the gas to escape."

Modest-sized homes should have at least one CO detector. "If your home has three floors, you should have a detector on the main floor and certainly have one on the floor with the furnace," she said. "Other good spots are near a gas fireplace and a hallway close to the garage."

A bad battery, dust, pet hair or a draft can cause the detector to emit false alarms. [especially if they are low-quality like the $30 ones you find at Home Depot and other retailers. See www. trasducertech.com for info about their Pocket CO]

Since accurate measurements of CO depend on undisturbed air, place detectors in low-traffic areas and don't install one near the furnace, she said.

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