Thursday, November 15, 2012

Carbon Monoxide News November 15, 2012 - posts updated frequently - Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day

CO alarm standards - know when you are protected

“The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882, bio link)

Hypoxia is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen  reaching body tissues. This reduction of oxygen causes a very strong drive to correct the deficiency which results in various stresses on all bodily functions; the greater the deficiency, the greater the trauma and dysfunction.

Vital oxygen is displaced and is not available when a person inhales  carbon monoxide. A chain reaction of symptoms begins, and compounds according to how much CO for how long and, what the existing health conditions of this person are to begin with. Ironically, many of these symptoms are treated with medications that may only numb or dress up the symptoms without providing relief; they may only result in an increase in cognitive or psychological maladies and methemoglobin surges.


There was a recent carbon monoxide rescue report  that described an emergency room doctor suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning when none of the other guesses seemed correct. He sent the EMT’s back out to the location to measure the air and sure enough, CO was present. I wonder if they ever got around to testing the patient or what would have the time savings been if measurement occurred on the initial rescue?

More to the point – Measurement of ambient carbon monoxide levels at every scene and non-invasive carboxyhemoglobin testing of every victim on every rescue will prevent further injury and expedite therapy when carbon monoxide is the offender. If you don’t test, you don’t know. Not testing consumes valuable time.
Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce
SAINT PAUL, MN – Each year about 50,000 people visit emergency rooms in the United States for CO poisoning, and more than 500 die each year from this silent, odorless, colorless gas. As part of Winter Hazard Awareness Week (November 5-9), the Minnesota Department of Commerce warns Minnesotans of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and to take steps to avoid this “silent killer.”

CO News links
Carbon Monoxide Kills Firefighter on Vacation at the River Ranch Hunt Club in ...
The Ledger
LAKE WALES | Polk County Sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Eleazer said a man found dead in a cabin of apparent carbon-monoxide poison at the River Ranch Hunt Club on Tuesday was a "well-known and well- respected firefighter" in Live Oak. Deputies say ...

Sprecher Brewery evacuated for elevated carbon monoxide levels
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A workplace injury Wednesday at the Sprecher Brewery in Glendale led to detection of elevated carbon monoxide levels, forcing an evacuation of employees, according to the North Shore Fire Department. Firefighters and an ambulance crew were called to ...

Police: No batteries in carbon monoxide detector where Marine died
Northwest Cable News
MERIDIAN – Meridian Police say there were no batteries in the detector of a deadly gas that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Marine Saturday. The Ada County coroner confirmed that….

Bismarck couple treated for carbon monoxide poisoning
Bismarck Tribune
A Bismarck couple was taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning after the husband felt ill, the wife passed out and their dog wouldn't stop barking. Bismarck Police Sgt. Mark Buschena said a 65-year-old Bismarck man called 911 at 2:36 a.m. ...

Apartment evacuated due to toxic gas
Omaha World-Herald
KEARNEY — Part of a Kearney apartment complex was evacuated Tuesday night after high levels of carbon monoxide were detected. At 8:19 p.m., members of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department were called to…

Danger of carbon monoxide highlighted
The Press, York
Landlords are being reminded of their responsibilities as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week which starts on Monday. The week aims to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the importance of maintaining any gas, oil, wood or ...

Hunters Reminded To Heat Safely
DoorCountyDailyNews.com
As hunters get ready to open up seasonal cabins or set up shop in campers or tents for the upcoming deer season, they're reminded to keep in the mind the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and ...

Salesman saves Friendship couple who had been overcome by ...
By Stephen Betts

FRIENDSHIP, Maine — Robert Phillips was in Friendship on Friday afternoon on a sales call when he decided to stop in and see a couple who had purchased something from him two years earlier. That impromptu decision saved the lives of ...

Carbon monoxide charity in funding crisis
Runcorn and Widnes World

Crusading Runcorn mum Lynn Griffiths, aged 52, launched Carbon Monoxide Awareness in April 2005, after her family suffered the devastating effects of undiagnosed poisoning at their former home. A partially blocked flu had remained undetected despite ... If you listened to their influence, they may have saved your life. Now, you can help save their mission.

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning 
Carbonmonoxidekills.com

Carbon Monoxide Information Website ... Carbon Monoxide Useful Links · Contact ... Get the Top ten carbon monoxide safety tips sent to your inbox:

Carbon monoxide toxicity
Emergency Medicine Ireland - By Andy Neill
Carbon monoxide is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In house fires there's frequently more burning that there is oxygen so lots of CO is produced. It is thought to be the commonest cause of death in house ...

Aviators – note:
(PDF) Federal Aviation Administration warning; Carbon Monoxide: a Deadly Menace

Carbon Dioxide earth atmospheric update levels;
Current Data for Atmospheric CO2

· Heart rescue video using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

· 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.

American Red Cross - disaster relief

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