Carbon Monoxide Poisoning With Maurice Buckley
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning generated by domestic heating appliances are making recent headlines.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is something we know very little about but it can cause permanent neurological damage, or worse, death.
On Christmas 'Eve, 20 year old Mayo man Padraig Hughes went to sleep and never woke up.he was poisoned, in his own home, by noxious carbon monoxide fumes.
Emma, his twin sister, was also overcome with fumes but miraculously, she survived.
Maurice Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of National, Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI):
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Colourless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas with the molecular formula 'CO.'
It's produced by the incomplete combustion of gas, oil, coal and wood used in boilers, gas fires, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires.
When does it become dangerous?
When it accumulates as a result of poor installation, poor maintenance, failure or damage to an appliance, fuel is not burned properly, rooms are badly ventilated preventing CO from escaping.
Anyone suffering from respiratory problems, heart problems, infants, small children, expectant mums and unborn babies and pets can be affected quicker and may be the first in the house to show symptoms.
How does CO poisoning take effect?
CO enters the lungs through normal breathing and displaces oxygen from the bloodstream. This interruption of the normal oxygen supply puts the heart, lungs, brain and other vital organs at risk.
What are the stats for carbon monoxide related deaths in this country?
There are about 9 deaths per year occur from unintentional CO poisoning not related to fires. Possibly 2 of these relate to domestic heating or other home installations.
How do we protect ourselves?
. Check colour of flame on your appliance. Orange means you DO have a problem. Blue does not definitely mean it's ok either.
. Get your appliance/boiler serviced annually. Get a CO Detector. - Proper placement of this is essential.
. Put detector where it can wake you during your sleep. Better still, get additional detectors on every level of the house and in every room. (Never place in humid areas such as bathrooms or cooking appliances). Also remember, CO has approx the same weight as air so it will rise with the warmer air - bear this in mind when fitting. (Smoke detectors do not work as CO detectors)
. *Detectors officially approved must be clearly marked with the EN50291 number and may also display the Kitemark symbol. After April 2006 the only valid standard across Europe is EN50291.
. Make sure flue on your appliance is unblocked. No creeping plants around it, no birds' nests, (fit a guard to prevent this).
. Have adequate ventilation.
. If you have an unexplained illness - upset tummy, dizziness, headaches, lethargy, muscle pain etc., get checked out and go directly from your home as if it is CO poisoning it will still be in your system and your doctor will pick it up with tests. (If you go somewhere else first, say, shops, then to the doc, symptoms may deplete and won't be picked up).
. Are you a tenant, ask your landlord to have a CO detector fitted.
. Are you a landlord, get your property checked out and fit a CO detector.
CO detectors can be purchased at any good hardware store and are priced around €40.