Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Carbon Monoxide News March 25, 2015 - 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.
Carbon monoxide safety, we are all in this together.


“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.” Arthur M. Schlesinger (1888-1965, bio link)

"Old Man" Neil Young - music link

Featured News Links – More news links below
Family overwhelmed by CO in home
WBAL Baltimore Video Report
A family of six, including an infant, is hospitalized because of a carbon monoxide leak in their home… had a carbon monoxide alarm, but it did not have a battery in it…

BREAKING: One dozen being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning from van
County 10
Initial reports from the scene indicate the exhaust system was leaking into the passenger compartment of the van. All of the occupants of the van had been riding to this area from a location in California. Those most ill were in the back of the van, but initial EMS reports indicated everyone in the van had some degree of C0 poisoning…

Carbon monoxide from space heater sickens Aquebogue farm workers
Riverhead News Review
Three farm workers were taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center after they experienced headaches and grogginess from carbon monoxide emitted by a space heater at Wells Farm in Aquebogue Tuesday, fire officials and a farm co-owner said… The workers were in barn that was being heated by a kerosene space heater when they began feeling ill,…

Two weeks to apply for free CO detectors
Jackson Hole News&Guide
Following the Jan. 30 death of Driggs, Idaho, resident Monica Herrera from carbon monoxide poisoning in a home where she worked as a housekeeper, Fire Marshal Kathy Clay said she was inspired to step up prevention efforts in the valley. “We’ve had a lot of incidents like that over the years, and this time it was just a tipping point for me,” she said…
More news links below -

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
Time to voluntarily restrict gas-powered leaf-blowers and trimmers
Wicked Local Swampscott
Most gas-powered leaf blowers and weed trimmers are 2-stroke engines, which are light and inexpensive, but remarkably inefficient at fuel combustion. They emit high levels of nitrous oxide (NO), hydrocarbons HC), and carbon monoxide (CO). According to the California Air Resources Board, these engines emit 499 times more HC, 49 times more particulates, and 26 times more carbon monoxide than an average car…

Air Pollution Exposure May Be Making Your Anxiety Worse, Increasing Your Stroke Risk
Medical Daily
Fast-paced city life could be giving you headaches and stress, but a new study suggests that it may be the air pollution, too… They found that when people were exposed to carbon monoxide, there was a 1.5 percent increased risk of stroke per 1 ppm, a 1.9 percent increased risk per 10 ppb of Sulphur dioxide, and a 1.4 percent increase per 10 ppb for nitrogen dioxide. All of these pollutants were linked to an increased risk of stroke-related hospitalizations or deaths. This was especially true for low- to middle-income countries, while higher-income countries didn’t have as strong of an association…

Carbon Monoxide Safety - El Paso County, Colorado, Public Service Announcement

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-Nine U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2014
Alaska | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | MassachusettsMichigan |
Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | 
  
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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