Number of CO poisonings increases with cold weather

Number of CO poisonings increases with cold weather
January 5th, 2009 @ 3:39pm
By Randall Jeppesen
With the bitter cold temperatures creeping in, some local doctors say we're seeing an epidemic of carbon monoxide poisonings.

Utah Valley Regional Medical Center's Hyperbaric Medicine director Eugene Worth says the hospital's large hyperbaric chamber has been busy treating several CO poisoning victims.

For example, some of the patients they have been treating are construction workers who have their working area sealed in with plastic to stay warm while they are using equipment that puts out dangerous exhaust, and a family staying at a cabin with a generator on the porch.

The symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, vomiting and sleepiness. "People can go to the emergency room and be treated for flu when they may have carbon monoxide poisoning," Worth said.

He calls the number of people being poisoned around the state an epidemic and says Utahns should take precautions: Don't warm your vehicle up in a garage and avoid using propane space heaters inside the house.

"Those [heaters] that are labeled indoor-safe that are propane-driven can be a carbon monoxide problem, especially at higher altitudes; and we are at higher altitudes," Worth said.

Most important, Worth suggests homeowners get a CO detector for every level of their home. He recommends electric-powered digital carbon monoxide detectors with a battery backup.