Carbon MonoxideThe “Invisible Killer”

2007 NNEPC

2007 NNEPC

Objectives Define carbon monoxide Describe possible sources Identify carbon monoxide poisoning signs

and symptoms Understand who is at risk for poisoning Describe key prevention tips and available

resources

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What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless nonirritating gas produced when sources of carbon, such as fuels or wood are burned

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Carbon Monoxide (CO) vs.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Dioxide

A byproduct of burning fuels

Gas exhaled with normal breathing

A poison even at low doses

An asphyxiant and poisonous at high doses

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Who is at Risk?

EVERYONE, especially:

– People using alternate heat sources during power outages

– Elderly

– Pregnant women, infants,

– Individuals with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems

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Who is at risk? Cont…..

– Personnel at fire scenes (fire-fighters/rescue workers)…..US!!

– Individuals working with combustion engines or combustible gases indoors

– Industrial workers at pulp mills, steel foundries and plants

– Pets

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Is CO Poisoning Common? One of the leading causes of unintentional/accidental

poisoning deaths in the United States, In Canada, leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths with 414 Canadians being killed between 2000 and 2007 with 87 from Ontario

Poisonings occur more often in the fall and winter months

Accounts for approximately 50,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S., and tens of thousands in Canada

2007 NNEPC

Sources Burning fuels such as: wood, oil, natural gas,

gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal and diesel Electrical appliances do not produce CO

Common sources of human exposure include:

– Smoke inhalation from fires

– Automobile exhaust

– Faulty or poorly vented charcoal, kerosene or gas stoves

– To a lesser extent, cigarette smoke and methylene chloride (industrial uses)

2007 NNEPC

Sources Charging batteries inside the home (seasonal

batteries from a boat, snowmobile, motorcycle etc.. On a constant trickle charge )

Some aerosols sprays Fumes from certain paints

CO will be found on all levels of the home. CO does not collect in low-lying areas nor

does it rise into the atmosphere.

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Cold Weather Hazards Insufficient ventilation

– Generators used inside during a power outage

– Gas or kerosene heater in room without proper ventilation

– Stoves or fireplaces that are improperly vented or blocked

– Exhaust flues or appliance ducts that are blocked or sealed shut

– Cars or trucks idling in a garage Opening the door is not sufficient

2007 NNEPC

Cold Weather Hazards cont….

Poor function or worn parts– Appliances and equipment

– Heating systems

Improper use– Using charcoal grills indoors

– Heating homes with gas ovens

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Warm Weather Hazards

Enclosed area (poor ventilation)– Gas, kerosene, charcoal, propane or

hibachi grills

– Gasoline-powered equipment (lawnmower, chainsaw, generator), used in a home, garage or under a tarp

– Gas-fueled lanterns and stoves burned inside a tent, trailer, boat cabin without proper ventilation

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How does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Work?

Enters the body through the lungs and is delivered to the blood

Red blood cells pick up CO instead of oxygen– Hemoglobin likes CO 250 times more than oxygen

CO prevents the oxygen that is present from being readily released to and used properly by tissues

2007 NNEPC

CO Exposure for 1 Hour

0 – 9 ppm0 – 9 ppm: no health risk normal CO levels in the : no health risk normal CO levels in the airair

10 – 29 ppm: 10 – 29 ppm: would see problems with long term would see problems with long term exposures such as headaches and nauseaexposures such as headaches and nausea

30 – 35 ppm30 – 35 ppm: flu like symptoms begin to develop : flu like symptoms begin to develop especially in the young and elderlyespecially in the young and elderly

36 – 99 ppm: 36 – 99 ppm: nausea, headaches, drowsiness, nausea, headaches, drowsiness, vomittinigvomittinig

100 ppm and up:100 ppm and up: severe symptoms, including severe symptoms, including confusion, headache, incoherent, unconscious, confusion, headache, incoherent, unconscious, death death

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2007 NNEPC

OHSA

Current occupational exposure limits for the Current occupational exposure limits for the workplace can be found under Oreg: 833workplace can be found under Oreg: 833

Safe exposure limits of CO are currently Safe exposure limits of CO are currently

25 ppm of CO over an 8 hr period25 ppm of CO over an 8 hr period

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2007 NNEPC

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Signs and Symptoms Flu-like symptoms (without fever or runny

nose) including:– Headache– Fatigue/sleepiness– Shortness of breath– Nausea– Dizziness– Confusion or disorientation

Young children, elderly and household pets are usually effected first

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Failure to Detect Danger

Often mistaken for the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses

Those sleeping or intoxicated can die before experiencing any symptoms

Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and death

Victims may become disoriented and unable to save themselves

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Prognosis

Difficult to predict the long-term effects of CO poisoning/exposure. – Even with proper medical treatment a few

people can develop long-term brain damage. – Some individuals appear to have no long-term

affects. If pregnant, fetal complications or death

may result.

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Carbon Monoxide AlarmYour best protection!

Install a carbon monoxide alarm close to sleeping areas. For more protection:

– Install one in every bedroom

– Install one on every level of your home Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, It

COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

2007 NNEPC

Buying an Alarm

Do not buy based on price. Purchase with Underwriters

Laboratories (UL 2034) label. Contact Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) for assistance. Follow manufacturers instructions for

placement, use and maintenance.

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Maintaining Alarms

If battery powered– Check monthly

– Replace batteries every year or when batteries are low, change your clocks

If electric, make sure there is battery backup in case of power outages.

2007 NNEPC

Fire Department/EMS’s role?

Rescue victims Special detectors that monitor parts per

million (PPM) of the atmosphere at any given location. – Find source of CO– Can detect small amounts of CO

If CO is detected:– The source will be investigated and identified– Next steps will be recommend– The area will be ventilated until CO levels are safe

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Visual Warning Signs

Streaks of carbon or soot around door of your fuel-burning appliance.

No draft in your chimney. A large amount of rusting on flue pipes

or appliance jackets or vent pipes. Moisture on windows/walls of furnace

doors.

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Visual Warning Signs Cont….

Discolored or damage bricks at top of chimney.

Soot falling from fire place. Flu-like symptoms that go away when

you leave home and come back when you re-enter.

2007 NNEPC

What Do We Do??

Arrive on sceneArrive on scene Take command!Take command! Take control!Take control! Stage Stage Accountability!!Accountability!!

SAFETY FIRST!SAFETY FIRST!

2007 NNEPC

SOG’s / POLICY

Refer to and review any SOG’s or Refer to and review any SOG’s or policies that are in place for policies that are in place for carbon monoxide responsescarbon monoxide responses

2007 NNEPC

WHAT ELSE?

PACK UP!!PACK UP!! Turn detector on in fresh airTurn detector on in fresh air Find sourceFind source Radio back what we need..Radio back what we need..

SAFETY FIRST!!SAFETY FIRST!!

2007 NNEPC

Monitoring Equipment

Review gas monitor including:Review gas monitor including: Where the detector is locatedWhere the detector is located Start up proceduresStart up procedures Bump test procedureBump test procedure Location and function of sensorsLocation and function of sensors

2007 NNEPC

IDENTIFY THE SOURCE

HOW DO WE DO THIS??HOW DO WE DO THIS??Through means of eliminationThrough means of eliminationWhat possible sources are in the What possible sources are in the house?house?

Our FD monitors may not be able to Our FD monitors may not be able to accurately determine the source of the accurately determine the source of the CO leak. Union Gas may be notified to CO leak. Union Gas may be notified to

assist FD in pin pointing the sourceassist FD in pin pointing the source

2007 NNEPC

BEFORE WE LEAVE..

WHAT SHOULD THE READING BE WHAT SHOULD THE READING BE BEFORE WE LEAVE THE BUILDING?BEFORE WE LEAVE THE BUILDING?

Are there any agencies we need to Are there any agencies we need to contactcontact

How do we contact them??How do we contact them??

STAY FOCUSEDSTAY FOCUSED