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CDC Report Finds Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning Highest During Cold Weather |
ATLANTA -- Carbon monoxide (CO)
exposures and poisonings occur more often during the fall and
winter, when people are more likely to use gas furnaces and heaters,
says a recently released report by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
The report,
Unintentional Non-Fire-Related Carbon Monoxide Exposures — United
States, 2001–2003, finds that approximately 480 U.S.
residents died each year from non-fire-related CO poisoning. In
addition, from 2001-2003, an estimated 15,200 persons with confirmed
or possible non-fire-related CO exposure or poisoning were treated
annually in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
“This study further illustrates that carbon monoxide poisoning is
preventable,” said Allison Stock, a toxicologist and one of the
authors of the report. “One of the primary ways to prevent carbon
monoxide poising is through yearly maintenance of gas-burning home
appliances. We recommend having a battery-operated carbon monoxide
detector in the home to alert residents of dangerous levels of
carbon monoxide. But carbon monoxide detectors are not the primary
way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Residents are urged to immediately leave their home and call 911 if
the carbon monoxide detector in their home sounds. Other critical
ways to prevent CO exposure and poisoning are to avoid the indoor
use of unvented gas-burning appliances, unvented gas or wood-burning
stoves and unvented fireplaces. The study appears in the Jan. 21
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which can be found at
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5402a2.htm.
For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention
visit
http://www.cdc.gov/co/
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