Carbon Monoxide Suspected in Deaths of Five People

May 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Last month, ABC News reported that five people died in a Maryland home due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  Relatives found the deceased and called emergency personnel.  When firefighters arrived they detected high levels of CO as high as 550 parts per million.  Upon investigation, a broken exhaust pipe was located in the home.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell carbon monoxide, it can kill you before you are aware it is in even in your home.

At lower levels of exposure, carbon monoxide causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of carbon monoxide exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

There are many potential sources of carbon monoxide in the home.  They include: unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and even tobacco smoke.  

“Carbon monoxide is a silent and deadly killer if allowed to accumulate in an indoor environment,” reported Susan White, Ph.D., CMC, President of Sussex Environmental Health Consultants (SEHC), a leading Mid-Atlantic IAQ consulting firm.  “It’s critical that people take a proactive approach to CO monitoring.  At Sussex we have the instrumentation and expertise to measure and identify potentially dangerous situations before a tragedy occurs,” she continued.

SEHC recently sponsored an educational video about carbon monoxide dangers that can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBWc4Blm8_I



To learn more about carbon monoxide or other environmental and IAQ issues, please visit http://www.sussexenvironmental.com, email susan.white@mchsi.com or call (302) 947-1810.
 
About Sussex Environmental Health Consultants, LLC
SEHC is a certified woman owned business that provides environmental and health and safety consulting services.  The company is located in the Mid-Atlantic and services customers nationwide.  SEHC provides solutions to clients ranging from homeowners to international Fortune 500 Corporations.