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Pierre L. Auger,¹ Benoît Levesque,¹ Richard Martel,² Henri Prud'homme,¹ David Bellemare,³ Claude Barbeau,⁴ Pierre Lachance,⁵ and Marc Rhainds¹

¹Direction de santé publique de la région de Québec, Service de Santé Environnmentale, Beauport, Québec, Canada
²INRS-Géoressources, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada
³CLSC Haute-Ville, Santé au travail, Charlesbourg, Québec, Canada
⁴Département de chimie, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada
⁵Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Québec, Canada

Abstract

Carbon monoxide, a gas originating from incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, is an important cause of human deaths. In this paper, we describe an unusual carbon monoxide poisoning in a dwelling without obvious sources of combustion gases, for which two adults had to be treated in a hyperbaric chamber. Carbon monoxide readings were taken in the house and in the neighboring homes. Methane gas and nitrogen oxide levels were also monitored in the house air. Soil samples were collected around the house and tested for hydrocarbon residues. The investigation revealed the presence of a pocket of carbon monoxide under the foundation of the house. The first readings revealed carbon monoxide levels of 500 ppm in the basement. The contamination lasted for a week. The investigation indicated that the probable source of contamination was the use of explosives at a nearby rain sewer construction site. The use of explosives in a residential area can constitute a major source of carbon monoxide for the neighboring populations. This must be investigated, and public health authorities, primary-care physicians, governmental authorities, and users and manufacturers of explosives must be made aware of this problem. Key words: carbon monoxide, dwelling, explosives, geology, poisoning. Environ Health Perspect 107:603-605 (1999) . [Online 16 June 1999]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/107p603-605auger/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to P.L. Auger, Direction de santé publique de la région de Québec, Service de Santé Environnmentale, 2400 d'Estimauville, Beauport (Québec) Canada G1E 7G9, Telephone: (418) 666-7000. Fax: (418) 666-2776. E-mail: Augerp@cspq.qc.ca

We thank M. Paquet of Envirolab, H. Shaver, and L. Bergeron for their contribution to this study.

Received 27 May 1998 ; accepted 1 April 1999.