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Four people were found dead in a New Hampshire home on Christmas Day, including a school teacher, due to suspected exposure to toxic carbon monoxide.
The tragedy was revealed when the victims’ relatives became concerned about their absences from family festivities. Two were older adults and two were younger, although the names and ages of three of the victims have not been made public.
The fourth person was Matt Goldstein, a teacher in the Brookline, Massachusetts, public school system.
New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey called him “a terribly tragic event” that caps a “difficult year” for carbon monoxide deaths and fire deaths in the state.
He added: “I really hope to make it through the holidays without another death.” And unfortunately, I stand before you today with four more deaths that appear to be related to carbon monoxide.’
Carbon monoxide, an invisible killer lurking in American homes and businesses, will send more than 100,000 people to emergency departments across the country this year.
Once concentrations of the flammable gas exceed approximately 70 parts per million, especially if a person has been exposed for as little as two hours, certain symptoms of bodily harm will occur, ranging from dizziness and confusion to lasting neurological damage and even death. death.
Exposure can cause many other problems, from visual disturbances and blurred vision to fatigue.
Initial symptoms after a few hours of exposure to low levels tend to resemble those of the flu, but continued exposure can cause long-lasting memory loss and confusion, as well as mood changes.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen. This can occur through gas-powered appliances, as well as fires and clogged flues.
Carbon monoxide can be released by car exhaust or gas stoves, but CO poisoning can be prevented by keeping up with appliance maintenance and installing detectors in the home. Although the latter is very effective, few Americans have installed life-saving carbon monoxide detectors.
If you suspect a CO leak, you should leave the area immediately, safely shut off the source of the leak if possible, call the fire department, and visit a doctor.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning often first present as flu-like symptoms, including headache, weakness, upset stomach, and vomiting.
Early symptoms can also be mistaken for signs of food poisoning, as was the case with a young California couple who vacationed at a luxury resort in Mexico and died in their hotel room from apparent CO poisoning that they initially believed to be the cause. It was caused by bad food. .
Dr Albert Rizzo, medical director of the American Lung Association, told DailyMail.com: ‘Because it is odorless and tasteless, it can be very insidious and people don’t often equate these types of symptoms with carbon monoxide poisoning. .
Exposure can also cause blurred vision and headaches, dangerously fast heartbeat, seizures, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, and death.
“They might think they have a virus or it’s the flu, maybe they just need better ventilated air, which they do, but then they don’t make the connection that it’s carbon monoxide.”
The most serious neurological effects will become evident after sustained exposure (days to months) to low concentrations of the gas.
Continued exposure can cause confusion and lasting memory loss. People have also experienced personality changes after CO exposure.
Some people exposed to CO for a long period of time will experience personality or mood changes, such as the onset of depression or anxiety. It can also cause confusion and other cognitive problems.
Six weeks after the poisoning, more than 40 percent of patients experienced higher rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction.
Some people exposed to concentrations around 150 to 200 parts per million may notice some movement and walking problems similar to those experienced by those with Parkinson’s.
A 2002 review published in the journal European Neurology reported that of 242 patients with CO poisoning examined between the years 1986 and 1996, nearly 10 percent experienced parkinsonism an average of four weeks after poisoning.
The most common symptoms were difficulty walking and maintaining a normal gait, thinking problems, urinary incontinence, inability to speak, and muscle stiffness.
How does CO poisoning occur?
Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen.
Inhaling exhaust fumes from cars or lawnmowers is one of the main causes. But people are also vulnerable to poisoning in the safety of their homes, especially if they live in smaller spaces.
Dr. Rizzo said, “Unfortunately, even poorly functioning appliances, stoves, ovens, and kerosene heaters, if they are not properly ventilated or operating in the proper order, will produce more carbon monoxide than they should.”
“If it’s a poorly ventilated space, it will build up and reach levels that cause symptoms.”
Gas-powered stoves and appliances, such as dryers, emit toxic CO. Defective water heaters can also emit dangerous levels of CO if not maintained.
One study found that up to 51 percent of gas stoves surveyed raised room CO concentrations above the EPA standard of 9 ppm, while five percent had carbon monoxide levels above 200 ppm.
Each year, more than 400 people die from non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the CDC.
Odorless gas can come from emergency electrical generators, furnaces, and automobile exhaust.
How can it be avoided?
CO poisoning is completely preventable, but it kills approximately 420 Americans and sends more than 100,000 of them to emergency departments each year.
Fire Chief Toomey said having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a simple way to dramatically reduce the risk of exposure.
An announcement from the nearby Wolfeboro Fire and Rescue Department said, “In the event an alarm is activated, residents should immediately leave their homes and call 9-1-1.”
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to carbon monoxide should seek fresh air immediately, experts say. Something as simple as opening the garage door before starting the car can save lives.
The exhibition is especially dangerous for older adults with certain pre-existing health conditions, including chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems. Babies and fetuses are also extremely vulnerable. CO poisoning greatly increases the risk of stillbirth and developmental disorders.
Combustion of any fuel source, from propane and coal to gasoline, emits toxic carbon dioxide.
Homes should also be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, small appliances that look like regular smoke detectors.
CO detectors can save lives, but only a shortage of American households have them. In fact, while nearly 98 percent of emergency department patients surveyed in the summer of 2011 said their homes were equipped with smoke detectors, only 44 percent said the same of CO detectors.
Low-income households in which residents earned less than $26,000 a year were the least likely to have a CO detector in or near their sleeping areas, the ideal place to have them.
Additionally, minority groups, renters, and urban residents were also much less likely to have CO detectors at home for a variety of reasons, including cost barriers and lack of awareness about the importance of having a pair installed.
Dr Rizzo said: ‘Things like carbon monoxide monitors and detectors should be easily available to people on every floor of the house. I know it’s a cost factor. They are relatively inexpensive, but not everyone can afford two or three carbon monoxide monitors in their home.
“But that’s why it’s so important to be aware of it and think about using a monitor, especially if you use a lot of these gas-powered appliances in your home that aren’t very well ventilated.”