Monday, September 24, 2012

Carbon Monoxide News September 24, 2012 - updated frequently

“It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, bio link)

Big note about this first warehouse workers story:
They tracked the “source” of carbon monoxide to a room where they were “charging” electric forklifts. The fire department measured CO the highest in this room. It must be noted that many CO test instruments, including those used by professional investigators, have inexpensive sensors that are affected by cross interferences of other gases. One of those gases is hydrogen, a common occurrence gas that is generated by charging vehicle batteries. As far as people in the warehouse being ill with symptoms…? Hydrogen gas is non-toxic but if it dominates an air space it can contribute to illness symptoms when breathed in. This event requires a little more information and testing of the area and test instruments to claim carbon monoxide was actually present. If there were gas fueled forklifts, this would be a different view. 18 people were taken to the hospital; we'll have to wait to see if they were tested for carbon monoxide exposure.  Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Several Trader Joe's warehouse workers taken to hospital after carbon ...
Allentown Morning Call
Federal regulators are inspecting a Trader Joe's warehouse after a carbon monoxide leak Sunday morning sent 18 workers to the hospital for evaluation. Ray Anthony, assistant chief of the East Allen Township Fire Department, said high levels of the ...Note from BD: Please see Carbon Monoxide News June 30, 2012 regarding carbon monoxide sensor interference.

Three people treated after carbon monoxide leak in Northampton ...
Northhamptonchron.co.uk
Three people were treated by paramedics last night after a carbon monoxide alarm activated in their Northampton home.

Living with the consequences of a combustion driven culture
Air-quality changes bring mixed reviews
Fresno Bee
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District has passed many of the toughest rules in the nation, among them the pioneering control of pollution coming from agriculture, said Seyed Sadredin, executive director. "Despite significant reductions ...

Nearly 1 in 10 children get asthma 'because they live near a busy road'
Daily Mail
Using regional air pollution measurements to estimate exposure to road pollution, they found that eight per cent of children who developed asthma lived within 75 metres of a busy road. And they found harmful air pollutants nitrogen dioxide and ozone ...

Breathing European air shortens lives -report
Chicago Tribune
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Microscopic particles, among the most harmful forms of air pollution, are still found at dangerous levels in Europe, although law has cut some toxins from exhaust fumes and chimneys, a European Environmental Agency (EEA) report ... The pollutants result from fumes belched out by cars, industry, household fuel burning, followed by complex chemical reactions in the air… Put very simply, black carbon particles are the kind that absorb heat and speed up global warming, while white reflective particles, including snow and ice, slow it down.

City enjoys 'moderate' air quality after a decade of Car-Free Days
Jakarta Post
Since 2002, however, the city government has closed the route to cars between 6 and 11 a.m. on the last Sunday of every month in a bid to reduce air pollution while at the same time providing space for people like Wayan and others to enjoy morning ...

Trucks Will Roll Down an E-Highway In California Test
Wall Street Journal
"We have the worst air pollution in the nation," says Sam Atwood, a spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which is responsible for controlling smog in portions of a four-county region and is coordinating the effort with support ...

· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

· Carbon Monoxide Survivor
A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.

· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia

Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.

The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International