For Immediate Release:
November 5, 2007

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

State Health Department and State Division of Fire Safety Urge Missourians
To Take Precautions Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the weather turning colder, more people are closing up their homes and turning on their furnaces and other heat sources. But in doing so they may also be increasing their risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to officials with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Division of Fire Safety. 

“The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning can come from a variety of sources such as furnaces, heaters, stoves, generators, and vehicles,” said Randy Maley, environmental public health specialist at DHSS. “Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, tasteless and, in high quantities, deadly. Now is a good time to check to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly,” Maley added.

According to Maley, carbon monoxide is produced when anything burns.  Fossil fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane, and kerosene all produce carbon monoxide when burned, as well as charcoal and wood.  Gas-powered cars, boats, lawn mowers and other motorized equipment all produce carbon monoxide; even ethanol-powered and hybrid vehicles produce carbon monoxide.  Inside a home, carbon monoxide is produced from natural gas-fueled furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, space heaters, and gas ranges, as well as from kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.

"The first line of defense against carbon monoxide is to make certain that all fuel-burning appliances operate properly," said State Fire Marshal Randy Cole. Cole also urged Missourians to use carbon monoxide detectors.

The early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting; people with heart disease may develop an irregular heartbeat.  Exposure to higher concentrations can cause disorientation, coma, convulsions, and death.  

“Waiting for early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is not a substitute for making sure possible carbon monoxide producing sources are working properly.  If you wait for symptoms to become noticeable, it may be too late to call for help. You need to get out of the building or away from the vehicle,” said Maley.

In the last five years, there have been over 3,000 illnesses and 212 deaths reported in Missouri caused by carbon monoxide.  Physicians and laboratories are required to report cases of carbon monoxide poisoning to their state or local public health agency.

“Anyone who suspects they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately get fresh air and seek medical help,” said Maley.

The following are some precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: 

• Be sure gas-fueled appliances are installed and used according to manufacturer’s instructions; if an appliance pilot light goes out, do not attempt to re-light the pilot light, but instead contact a professional;
• Have your home heating system and chimneys, flues, and vents checked each year;
• Do not use gas-fueled appliances such as an oven, cooking stove, or clothes dryer to heat your home; these appliances are not designed for heating a home, even for a short time;
• Do not burn charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle or tent for heating or cooking, not even in a fireplace;
• Do not use un-vented gas or kerosene heaters in closed spaces – especially near or in sleeping areas; even opening a door or window does not allow enough fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning;
• Never leave an automobile running in a closed garage or in a garage attached to the house even with the garage doors open;
• Do not operate any gasoline-powered engines such as mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, power washers or generators in enclosed spaces;
• Be aware that boat motors are a source of carbon monoxide; do not allow any swimming near the motor exhaust; especially keep children away from the boat motor;
• Do not leave the rear window or tailgate of a vehicle open while driving; and
• Repair leaking exhaust pipes and mufflers on automobiles.

“Carbon monoxide detectors are similar to smoke detectors, are relatively inexpensive, and can be purchased at department or hardware stores and on-line,” said Cole.  “Many fire departments will offer advice and help if someone has a problem with their carbon monoxide detector.”

For more information about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning or to report persons suffering from or who have been tested for carbon monoxide poisoning, see the Department of Health and Senior Services’ Web Site http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CO/.