Friday, October 3, 2014

Carbon Monoxide News October 3, 2014 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time through our archives for previous CO News links.
We can learn from others mistakes and efforts to prevent poisoning.


“Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.” Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE, bio link)

"Walk On By" Isaac Hayes - music link 

Featured News Links – More news links below 
Think air quality doesn't matter? Look at Pittsburgh in the 1940s
MNN
These days when we think of eye-watering, lung-blackening smog, it's usually Chinese cities that come to mind… But China's not special; the country is just industrializing at a rapid pace. The situation was similar in many areas of the United States not so long ago, as (these) photos from Pittsburgh in the 1940s show clearly. They were taken right before "smoke control" laws took effect… Looking back, it might seem obvious that making efforts to clean the air was a good idea, but at the time there was no consensus. As with tobacco, there was a powerful lobby spreading misinformation (“smoke is good for the lungs” or “it helps crops grow”) to keep things the same…

Is Breathing in China as Bad as Smoking?
Bloomberg View
Today the air pollution was so thick in Harbin, in northern China, that visibility was reduced to fewer than 33 feet in some parts…

We have all been CO poisoned, some more than others
The following link takes you to a site with views from those who have been poisoned. The seriousness of carbon monoxide poisoning, the grief, suffering and disorientations experienced are clearly portrayed with the intent to help others and prevent future poisonings. With respect, please visit: 

What is in the air you are breathing right now?
What will you be doing today; walking into poison?
Who will be responsible for the air you breathe?
You may be the only person who can prevent your own poisoning. 

We are all vulnerable to carbon monoxide exposure and poisoning.
Everyone has been poisoned by CO and will be poisoned again. The degree of the poisoning depends upon allowing yourself to be in a situation where someone else controls the air you breathe and the mechanisms for alarming notification.

Please read the alarm information on the package and in the instructions that come with the carbon monoxide alarm. Know that if it is a U.L. 2034 Listed product (or CSA 6.19 Listed), it is a high level alarm that has been tested to alarm no sooner than 70 PPM at the lowest (the alarm must resist for one hour when above this level) and when over 400 PPM before 15 minutes at the highest concentration, after resisting alarming for 4 minutes when over this level.

Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be as soon as the gas is present in your presence. Pregnant women, infants & children, people with heart & respiratory struggles, those suffering depression or chronic headaches and all people of vulnerable health should be alerted as soon as the gas begins to concentrate, around 10 PPM (parts per million) or lower.

You most likely need a low level carbon monoxide detector to sound off when carbon monoxide hazards are just beginning, not after you’ve been exposed to levels that make you have headaches, flu-like symptoms, increased tiredness, heart stresses or worse.

Do not take risks with carbon monoxide. Take responsibility for the air you breathe and the combustion systems you are responsible for. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for others, unless you think $45.00, high level protection is good enough.

Help prevent injuries and deaths; don’t guess about carbon monoxide. Measure carbon monoxide for safety and knowledge. The more you test the more you learn.
GET BUSY
Measurement is continuing education at its best. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety 


CO and Air Quality News Links
Monument woman's carbon monoxide scare serves as warning
Colorado Springs Gazette
Lynn McNelly thought she couldn't possibly by poisoned by carbon monoxide after opening all the windows and doors of her Monument home, but ...

Letter: Cigars pose threat to young
Berkshire Eagle
Adolescents who start smoking with cigars are more susceptible to smoking cigarettes. Cigar smoking causes cancer and daily cigar smokers are at increased risk of heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, secondhand cigar smoke contains substantially higher levels of carbon monoxide and other toxins than cigarette smoke…

Fire Department Home Safety (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector) Program
Boxborough MA
A firefighter will visit your home to perform the following: 1) Check each smoke and carbon monoxide detector in the home to ensure…

EPA: RI had zero Air Quality Alert days this summer
Providence Eyewitness News
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A new report from the Environmental Protection Agency shows that Rhode Island had good air quality this summer, ... “The American Lung Association would say that there is more to this story, in that we also need to bear in mind that standards are not as high as we think they should be.” … Right now, it takes at least 75 parts per million of ozone to be considered a poor air quality day, but the ALA would like to see that dropped between 60 and 65 parts per million. When you get just above those levels, Wood said children with asthma and others at high risk can experience both long and short term ill effects…

Study: Southern California's Air Quality Getting Healthier
CBS Local
The cancer risk from air pollution in Southern California has dropped by more than 50 percent since 2005, according a study released Thursday by the South Coast Air Quality Management District…

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? 
Take control inside your homes. 
-Link to:  CO alarm standards  

The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 carbon monoxide alarm test point is: 
- 70 PPM to 149 PPM –resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours 
Please read the alarm information on the package and in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety 

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

These following links may be of some use to you: 

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

National Conference of State Legislatures 
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes 

Twenty-eight U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Feb. 2014
Alaska | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
  |Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | |Minnesota 
  
Red Cross - Typhoon Appeal continues in the Philippines. Another please, with hopes of another thank you. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Red Cross - Disaster Relief to safely assist law enforcement, fire department, utility company, city, county and state authorities as repair and rebuilding moves forward. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Nationally, the Red Cross provides food and shelter to people affected by as many as 70,000 fires annually, or about one fire every eight minutes.

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 

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