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Potential Cure for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Discovered (ME)
Mark Eatherton1
Member Posts: 2,542
From last year...
I want to thank...
Mark Hunt, John Hall, Jim Davis et al, the NFPA Web Site and the thousands of other people out there doing what they can to educate people as to the breadth of devesation caused by this totally preventable problem. Thanks also to the Holohans for giving us the space to post this.
As with anything worthwhile, education is the key. Education of the consumer, the contractor, the code officials, the manufacturers, the federal government.
Literally EVERYONE!!
The funny thing is, over in Germany, they already HAVE laws set forth to deal with this issue. Your major gas appliances are subject to an annual inspection, and if they don't pass, they give you a week to fix it. If it's not fixed in a week, when they come back, they TAKE your boiler, and charge you for it. AND, you have to have pay to put it back in...
The intent of this post was to introduce those people who are equipped and trained and Certified in CO control and mitigation the opportunity to increase your exposure to notice. It is a Press Release sample tied to the prevention of unintentional CO deaths, which number the thousands. Here is my contribution to the cause. In order to get the full and proper effect, you need to have a copy of the actual document. Send me an e-mail requesting it, and I'll be GLAD to send you an electronic copy.
Use it.
On Company Letterhead
PRESS RELEASE Your Name Your Telephone Number Web site information if applicable FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Possible Cure Found For Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases Date: City of release: Carbon Monoxide Statistics:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "there are approximately 2,100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) every year in the U.S. and the use of CO Alarms could potentially prevent many of these fatalities." In addition, more than 10,000 CO injuries occur annually from this colorless, odorless and tasteless poison.
Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced when burning any fuel: gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood and coal. It is the product of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide can kill in minutes or hours depending on the level of CO in the air.
If CO is inhaled at damaging levels it can lead to breathing difficulties, impaired judgment and memory, damage to the nervous system, Page 2 cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and even death.
Everyone is susceptible, but experts agree that unborn babies, young children, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are especially vulnerable and are at the highest risk for death or serious injury.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide:
Initial symptoms are similar to the flu with no fever. Dizziness, fatigue/weakness, throbbing headache, nausea/vomiting, irregular breathing, sleepiness and confusion can all be possible symptoms.
Potential sources of carbon monoxide:
Any fuel burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed can be a source of CO. These can include furnaces, gas range/stove, gas clothes dryer, water heater, gas or wood fireplaces, wood-burning stove and auto exhaust from an attached garage. Other sources include clogged chimneys or flues, vent pipes, fuel burning space heaters, tools that run on fuel in an area that is not vented, a gas or charcoal grill used in an enclosed area, certain types of swimming pool heaters, boats and RV's. Back drafting and changes in air pressure can cause indoor levels of CO. Methods of protection:
Every year have the heating system, vents, chimney, and flue tested, inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician. Never leave a car running in an attached garage. Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping areas and on every level of the home. Regularly examine vents and chimneys for improper connections, visible rust or
Page 3
Safety tips · Install CO alarms (listed by an independent testing laboratory) inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. · CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area. · After purchasing an alarm, call your local fire department's non-emergency telephone number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds. Post that number by your telephone(s) and make sure everyone in the household knows the difference between the fire emergency and CO emergency numbers (if there is a difference). · Test CO alarms at least once a month, and replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions. · If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Never leave your vehicle running when it is parked or covered in snow. · Have fuel-burning household heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters) and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in. · When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation. · Open a window slightly whenever using a kerosene or gas heater. (Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states. Always check with local authorities before buying or using one.) Only refuel outside, after the device has cooled. · Never use your oven to heat your home. · Only use barbecue grills which can produce CO outside. Never use them in the home or garage.
Page 4
· When purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory. · When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. · When camping, remember to use battery-powered heaters and flashlights in tents trailers, and motor homes. · CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and in or outside all sleeping areas. · Know the difference between the sound of the smoke alarms and the sound of the CO alarms. If your CO alarm sounds · Immediately move everyone outdoors. · Report the CO alarm warning by calling the appropriate phone number. · Call a qualified technician to inspect all equipment. Symptoms of CO poisoning · Severe headache, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, or faintness. Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses.
Carbon Monoxide poisonings are one of the most preventable situations occurring in America today. The loss of life is senseless. Purchase, install and maintain a good quality CO detector today, and call a qualified service contractor to test the fired appliances in your home tomorrow. Together, we CAN stop the rising death toll.
###
Information on your company/organization goes here. Who, what when where, why and how long youve been around.
Sned me an e-mail and I will send you a copy o fthe above in MS Word format. No Charge!
Use it.
ME
<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=88&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>
I want to thank...
Mark Hunt, John Hall, Jim Davis et al, the NFPA Web Site and the thousands of other people out there doing what they can to educate people as to the breadth of devesation caused by this totally preventable problem. Thanks also to the Holohans for giving us the space to post this.
As with anything worthwhile, education is the key. Education of the consumer, the contractor, the code officials, the manufacturers, the federal government.
Literally EVERYONE!!
The funny thing is, over in Germany, they already HAVE laws set forth to deal with this issue. Your major gas appliances are subject to an annual inspection, and if they don't pass, they give you a week to fix it. If it's not fixed in a week, when they come back, they TAKE your boiler, and charge you for it. AND, you have to have pay to put it back in...
The intent of this post was to introduce those people who are equipped and trained and Certified in CO control and mitigation the opportunity to increase your exposure to notice. It is a Press Release sample tied to the prevention of unintentional CO deaths, which number the thousands. Here is my contribution to the cause. In order to get the full and proper effect, you need to have a copy of the actual document. Send me an e-mail requesting it, and I'll be GLAD to send you an electronic copy.
Use it.
On Company Letterhead
PRESS RELEASE Your Name Your Telephone Number Web site information if applicable FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Possible Cure Found For Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases Date: City of release: Carbon Monoxide Statistics:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, "there are approximately 2,100 unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) every year in the U.S. and the use of CO Alarms could potentially prevent many of these fatalities." In addition, more than 10,000 CO injuries occur annually from this colorless, odorless and tasteless poison.
Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced when burning any fuel: gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood and coal. It is the product of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide can kill in minutes or hours depending on the level of CO in the air.
If CO is inhaled at damaging levels it can lead to breathing difficulties, impaired judgment and memory, damage to the nervous system, Page 2 cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and even death.
Everyone is susceptible, but experts agree that unborn babies, young children, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are especially vulnerable and are at the highest risk for death or serious injury.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide:
Initial symptoms are similar to the flu with no fever. Dizziness, fatigue/weakness, throbbing headache, nausea/vomiting, irregular breathing, sleepiness and confusion can all be possible symptoms.
Potential sources of carbon monoxide:
Any fuel burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed can be a source of CO. These can include furnaces, gas range/stove, gas clothes dryer, water heater, gas or wood fireplaces, wood-burning stove and auto exhaust from an attached garage. Other sources include clogged chimneys or flues, vent pipes, fuel burning space heaters, tools that run on fuel in an area that is not vented, a gas or charcoal grill used in an enclosed area, certain types of swimming pool heaters, boats and RV's. Back drafting and changes in air pressure can cause indoor levels of CO. Methods of protection:
Every year have the heating system, vents, chimney, and flue tested, inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician. Never leave a car running in an attached garage. Install a carbon monoxide alarm near the sleeping areas and on every level of the home. Regularly examine vents and chimneys for improper connections, visible rust or
Page 3
Safety tips · Install CO alarms (listed by an independent testing laboratory) inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. · CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area. · After purchasing an alarm, call your local fire department's non-emergency telephone number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds. Post that number by your telephone(s) and make sure everyone in the household knows the difference between the fire emergency and CO emergency numbers (if there is a difference). · Test CO alarms at least once a month, and replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions. · If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Never leave your vehicle running when it is parked or covered in snow. · Have fuel-burning household heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters) and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in. · When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation. · Open a window slightly whenever using a kerosene or gas heater. (Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states. Always check with local authorities before buying or using one.) Only refuel outside, after the device has cooled. · Never use your oven to heat your home. · Only use barbecue grills which can produce CO outside. Never use them in the home or garage.
Page 4
· When purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory. · When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. · When camping, remember to use battery-powered heaters and flashlights in tents trailers, and motor homes. · CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and in or outside all sleeping areas. · Know the difference between the sound of the smoke alarms and the sound of the CO alarms. If your CO alarm sounds · Immediately move everyone outdoors. · Report the CO alarm warning by calling the appropriate phone number. · Call a qualified technician to inspect all equipment. Symptoms of CO poisoning · Severe headache, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, or faintness. Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses.
Carbon Monoxide poisonings are one of the most preventable situations occurring in America today. The loss of life is senseless. Purchase, install and maintain a good quality CO detector today, and call a qualified service contractor to test the fired appliances in your home tomorrow. Together, we CAN stop the rising death toll.
###
Information on your company/organization goes here. Who, what when where, why and how long youve been around.
Sned me an e-mail and I will send you a copy o fthe above in MS Word format. No Charge!
Use it.
ME
<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=88&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>
0
Comments
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CO casualties
And just last week I emailed our Fire Chief. Asking for the stats on CO related or suspected CO related incidents and/or hospitalizations. Our FD responds as well as our amubulance crews on 911 calls. I also sent him the url's for coexperts and the CHMC pdf on CO poisoning. While it's early - I haven't recieved a response. So the questions are - do our folks in blue truely understand CO poisoning and are able to recognize it? And what can we do about that if they are the first responders to the home?0 -
CO
Mark
Please forward me a copy of the CO piece.Thanks.0 -
Nice going Mark,
Attach the MS word file to your post, Make it easy.
al0 -
Thank you Mark
It's SO important.
Mark H
To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"0 -
Up Late Mark??
Appreciate your letter and comments Mark, but just a couple of things to correct:
1. Flu symtoms without fever - False
Mayo Clinic has report that states people with CO poisoning have had fevers of 102-103 degrees. This has led to the misdiagnosis and death of many people
2. Independent lab tested CO Alarms provide early protection - False.
They only provide last minute emergency warnings for healthy adults. Babies, small children, unborn babies, elderly, people with heart and respiratory illnesses are provided almost no protection.
3. Recent article in the American Journal of Health said that every year a million people suffer congestive heart failure and that ten of thousands of these seem to occur when CO levels outdoors are elevated. Also less than 1% of all CO deaths are truly diagnosed.
4. Crack a window when using a kerosene heater or unvented gas heater - False
The cool air from the window cause the CO2 emitted from unvented heaters to be trapped at the floor and displace oxygen at the burner even faster. Any CO produce will rise above the window and remain in the building after the window is closed. It is recommended to open a door slightly to allow CO2 to escape low, CO to escape high and Oxygen to come in everywhere else.
5. Most qualified? appliance(oven)contractors are taught that anything under 800ppm coming out of the vent of an oven is acceptable. A recent article at a national convention said that all readings in the vent of the oven are "air free".
6. Majority of new installations today do not have adequate protection for improper combustion air or improper venting.
As I always say, let the discussion begin!!
0 -
Thanks Jim...
This information was obtained from the NFPA website just last year...
Guess its a learning process for ALL of us.
Good to see you. When are you coming back to Colorado?
ME
To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"0 -
Low Level CO Detectors
Looking for low level CO detectors to be installed in my house. Saw some conversation from last spring and summer about the CO-Experts unit. Any thoughts on it or other low level devices?
Thanks in advance.
Craig0 -
low level co monitors
Go to www.ncinstitute.com and check out the unit they offer. Much better than co experts imho.
Brian0 -
Spain grieves as gas kills 18 party-goers
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=6084680
This discussion has been closed.
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