Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Almost everyone in the area has been without power for days. Some people are fortunate enough to have professionally installed hard-wired generators that click on as soon as the electrical supply is interrupted. These generators are located at a distance from the house and far away from windows. Other people will use ‘portable’ units that are typically only an extension cord length away from the house (and that cord may be run through the kitchen window). Another common tactic is to charge telephones in an idling car in the garage.

There is a considerable danger from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the latter two scenarios. An open garage door is not sufficient - an idling car should be completely out of the garage, since CO can accumulate in garage corners and under the vehicle. Things might seem fine to the person in the car charging his phone and listening to the radio, but since CO cannot be detected by humans, he may never make it from the car back into the house.

The consequence of a slow leak of CO into the living quarters may not be as dramatic but could be equally deadly. Unfortunately, 500 people lose their lives to CO poisoning very year and the numbers go up following hurricanes.

Carbon monoxide makes it difficult for the blood to deliver oxygen to the tissues.  It also directly interferes with muscle activity at the cellular level and can lead to “myocardial stunning” even if there is adequate oxygen delivery. Forty percent of those who survive CO poisoning will have permanent neurocognitive impairment due to damage in the brain cells.

Every home needs CO detectors. If the CO detector goes off, get out! Call the fire department once everyone is out of the house.

The basics about carbon monoxide poisoning.

From The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention