Friday, January 6, 2017

CO News January 6, 2017 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.


“I'm always astonished by a forest. It makes me realise that the fantasy of nature is much larger than my own fantasy. I still have things to learn“ Gunter Grass (1927-2015, bio link)

"On The Road To Find Out" Cat Stevens - music link

Daily News Links Are Below These Opening Questions And Warnings
How much carbon monoxide are you in when in any motor vehicle?

Did you know that many people do not measure the air they live in?
After prevention there is no greater awareness than measurement.
 
Awareness leads to quick thinking. Measurement leads to quick action.

Are you in the know?
Do I know enough about carbon monoxide and carbon monoxide poisoning to justify never knowing how much is in the air I breathe every day, everywhere I go?”

There are some people who want to be notified of the presence of carbon monoxide at levels or concentrations as soon as the gas is present, at concentrations well below those that can instigate poor health symptoms but not be high enough levels to sound the CO alarm they own. 

There are some people who do not want to push a button on their CO alarm to see what low, aggravating levels of the poison might be in their home, or anywhere. 

The most recommended CO Alarm in U.S. is a high level alarm
Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms 
UL 2034
1.3 Carbon monoxide alarms covered by this standard are not intended to alarm when exposed to long-term, low-level carbon monoxide exposures or slightly higher short-term transient carbon monoxide exposures, possibly caused by air pollution and/or properly installed/maintained fuel-fired appliances and fireplaces… 


Featured News Links – More news links below

Third death due to carbon monoxide poisoning in two months reported
Mount Shasta Herald
A third death in two months in Siskiyou County attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning was reported this week by the Sheriff's Office… A third death in two months in Siskiyou County attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning was reported this week by the Sheriff's Office… Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey states in a news release that "the alarming increase in accidental deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) is staggering and a serious concern. It is important to realize that this time of the year we see an increase in these types of human tragedies due to freezing temperatures and a corresponding improper or careless use of potentially hazardous heating devices that often emit harmful CO fumes."…

Carbon monoxide exposure sends Mount Royal family to hospital
CBC.ca
Five people were taken to hospital after they were exposed to carbon monoxide at their home in Mount Royal early Thursday morning… The residents told paramedics they woke up feeling dizzy and nauseated, prompting them to leave the house and call 911… Firefighters found carbon monoxide levels at 120 parts per million (ppm) in the upstairs and readings increased to 600 ppm in the basement, the fire department said in a release…

Update
Otisfield home had high levels of CO, chief says
Lewiston Sun Journal
OTISFIELD — A home on Bow Street where two workers were found barely responsive Wednesday night had elevated readings of carbon monoxide… The man and woman were working on the house, which had been vacant for up to two years, the chief said he was told. A relative, who does not live in the area, found them and called 911… it's not known how long the two had been in the house… "There was no power" at the house, he said, and a generator was on an outside deck but not running…

Stamford fire officials warn of carbon monoxide dangers
News 12 Connecticut
STAMFORD - Fire officials are warning residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide following a scare in Stamford… The warning comes after firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide leak inside a woman's home Thursday morning on Joffre Avenue. The woman called for help after feeling ill, and firefighters discovered a leak in her basement. She's expected to be OK…

Close call for South Croydon family after carbon monoxide outbreak in their home
Croydon Advertiser
The fact that a family in Sanderstead had a carbon monoxide detector in their home may have saved their lives after an outbreak of the gas at their home last night (Thursday)… Two children were asleep in the home on Penwortham Road when the carbon monoxide alarm went off… Their parents sensibly woke their son and daughter, aged seven and five, and evacuated the house before calling…

Specialist: Winter brings higher carbon monoxide risk for farmers
Purdue Agricultural Communications
As winter temperatures fall across Indiana, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning may go up on farms if equipment and vehicles are run with improper ventilation, Purdue Extension safety specialist Bill Field says… “Knowing the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning is one way to protect yourself and your family or employees,” said Field. “Many types of farm vehicles and equipment are fueled by gas or oil and in the winter, some strategies used to keep warm can lead to unsafe levels of exposure.”…

Scroll Down For More of Today's CO & Air Quality News Links

Please, stop diagnostic errors; start testing for carboxyhemoglobin
Carbon Monoxide Intoxication
Journal of Neurology and Neuroscience
Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication is one of the main causes of poisoning in industrialized countries and it often leads to diagnostic errors… 

Carbon monoxide intoxication.
nih.gov
However individuals with ischemic heart disease may experience chest pain and decreased exercise duration at COHb levels between 1% and 9%. COHb levels between 30% and 70% lead to loss of consciousness and eventually death… 

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
National Fire Protection Association… If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel….

NOTE: Listed U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 Carbon Monoxide Alarms 
VISUAL DISPLAY:
Must not display under 30PPM in normal operation
AT 70, 150 & 400 PPM display must be accurate within plus or minus 30 Percent 

SENSITIVITY TESTING: Resist alarming first times shown, must by second shown time
70PPM [PLUS OR MINUS 5PPM ... [BETWEEN 60 _ 240 MINUTES]
150PPM [PLUS OR MINUS 5PPM] ... [10 - 50 MINUTES]
400PPM [PLUS OR MINUS 10PPM ... [4 _ 15 MINUTES]

“CITIZENS WILL CONTINUE TO DIE & BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL DAILY!” George Kerr - CO Experts 
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

Protect yourself from the bitter cold with these safety tips
WGBA-TV
Install carbon monoxide alarms: Carbon monoxide can occur when any appliance that burns wood or fuel is malfunctioning or poorly vented. Having carbon monoxide alarms installed in central locations on each level of your home and near sleeping areas will provide you with an early warning if carbon monoxide starts to accumulate. Also make sure all wood / fuel-burning equipment is vented outdoors and kept clear…

After You've Cleared the Driveway – Check Those Vents!
The Meaford Independent
Natural gas vents for furnaces and fireplaces can become blocked by snow drifts which increases the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation within the home… Many furnaces are designed to shut down if there is a restriction of air intake, so if you find yourself without heat one morning, the first place to check is your outside vents… But for those furnaces that don't power down when gasping for outside air, the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning becomes a possibility…

Good general information but remember to install carbon monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide warning issues as MT cold snap continues
KPAX-TV
But NorthWestern Energy is warning people to completely avoid any jury-rigged attempts to use your oven, or grills and propane devices designed for outdoor use to bring up your indoor temperature. The resulting carbon monoxide buildup could be deadly…

Whistleblower Headed to Court Over Air Quality Report
Public News Service
After a district court accidentally sent Weise an air-quality report, she shared it with the news media... Ostrom maintained that access to the report, which was paid for by ratepayers, is a public-health issue… "Sulfur dioxide is one of the worst pollutants that we can breathe into our lungs," she said. "It causes asthma, which causes heart trouble, so, it's pretty serious, and CSU is trying to hide how serious this has been in the past."… More than 1,400 Coloradans have signed a petition and more than 45 business and community leaders have signed a letter asking the utilities to release the air-quality report. Nearly 300,000 people live within a five-mile radius of the Martin Drake plant…

Study links dementia risk and traffic exposure
AirQualityNews
While the study found no link between exposure to pollution and the development of Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, it found that people living near major roads have an increased risk of developing dementia…

US Energy Information Administration
Energy Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government...

Sit and rest a while; miss the children, prevent repeating this tragedy. 
Corfu carbon monoxide deaths: Memorial unveiled in Horbury 
BBC News 
A memorial bench to two young children who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday in Corfu has been unveiled in West Yorkshire…

To all parents everywhere; grief's pain alerts others
Out of tragedy comes the light of love 
Chester County Press 
Inside, Carly and Daulton had passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas tank was empty and the ignition was still on. Fumes from the exhaust had been drawn into the car through the air vents… “One of the best things for me is to talk to parents who have also lost a child,” Donna said.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher
VideoNex
In this informative and succinct video, learn how to identify and appropriately execute the use of a CO2 Fire Extinguisher…

Cdc Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
New Movie Release 2015
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Public domain video from CDC. Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced ... 

CO EXperts
Johnson County Kansas - Continuing Education – – Video Link


A well put together video is found with the next link, but remember U.L. 2034 Listed CO Alarms are high level alarms. Use them for protection against accute levels, but be aware you can still experience symptoms of the poisoning even though the devices are in place.
About Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
DailyMotion
About Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

JEMS.com - ...site has been designed with this in mind – to create a visual, interactive, educational resource which can hopefully end incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning and save lives… For more information, please visit - www.thesilentkiller.co.uk 

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. CO Experts


These following links may be of some use to you: 
U.S. Drought Monitor
- Astronomy Picture of the Day Archive
- Current Data for Atmospheric CO2
- Federal Aviation Administration CO warning
- Carbon monoxide toxicity-Emergency Medicine Ireland
- Carbon Monoxide Survivor- Views from those who have been poisoned.
- Carbon Monoxide detection- National Fire Protection Association

· 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 

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