“Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.” Sidney Hook (1902-1989, bio information)
Forest and wild land fire fighters and support staff often get poisoned as they work. These fire fighters work in deteriorated air quality without the aid of breathing apparatus that your local fire departments would not nor are they allowed to work in. The respiratory and cardiac health of these courageous people are jeopardized with the inhalation of the smoke and toxic gases produced by the various stages of combustion that are occurring. They often work in atmospheres of carbon monoxide above the evacuation levels used by fire departments for citizen evacuation of buildings and their COHb levels can only go up as oxygen displacement and poisoning begins.
See “Breathless” By Robin Bible Tennessee Division of Forestry
They know about forest fires in Montana, unfortunately. Traditionally, breathing smoke on the fire line has been considered all in a day's work for wild land firefighters. Smoke is one of the many occupational risks that comes with the job, along with falling snags, breaking a leg, or worse, getting burned over. Researchers are just beginning to learn more about the serious health problems that can result from inhaling wildfire smoke. “Through the detailed chemical characterizations of smoke, we find literally hundreds of compounds, many of these in very, very low concentrations,” says Darold Ward of the Forest Service's Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana.
When forest fuels burn, they discharge hundreds, if not thousands, of chemical compounds into the atmosphere, including carbon monoxide, total suspended particulates, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and water vapor. “Breathing high smoke concentrations does expose those persons to toxic compounds contained in the smoke,” says Shannon Therriault, air quality specialist with the Missoula City-County Health Department.
“One of the greatest hazards in smoke lies in the particulate matter, a general term for that mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in air. Particulate from smoke tends to be very small, and as a result, is more of a health concern than the coarser particles,” Therriault said. “For example, the diameter of the average human hair is about 30 times bigger. These particles can build up in your respiratory system, causing a number of health problems, including burning eyes, runny noses, cough, headache and irritated sinuses. Long-term exposure, such as on the order of what firefighters experience, can impair lung function and possibly lead to cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer.”
Studies have found that fine particulate matter, alone or with other pollutants, is linked to a number of significant respiratory and cardiovascular-related diseases. In addition, airborne particles are respiratory irritants and laboratory studies show that high concentrations of particulate matter cause persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing and physical discomfort in breathing. Particulate matter also can alter the body's immune system and affect removal of foreign materials like pollen and bacteria from the lungs.
Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas, is produced as a byproduct of incomplete combustion. Firefighters are exposed to large amounts of the gas in the smoldering stages of the fire, usually during the final mop-up stage. Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reduces oxygen delivery to the body's organs and tissues.
Also See International Association of Wildland Fire
Unfortunately we throw people into harm’s way to put out wildfires. Fortunately we know that technology and portable safety systems exist to monitor the health and protect the air breathed in by these courageous people. The fire fighter should have a base COHb% test registered before their season or before their entry into the fire battle zone. They should be tested again when they finish their shift or whenever the symptoms begin to appear or be acknowledged by the fighter.
Breathing apparatus and monitoring COHb levels makes the most sense for protection even in the mop up areas where the smoldering embers may be the biggest threats. No one should have to breathe in those gases as part of their job to save public or private lands despite the tradition of the fire fighting system. Bob Dwyer CSME. Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
Power washer poisons two
2 sickened by carbon monoxide fumes on NW Side
Chicago Tribune
Two men using a gas powered "power washer" were found unconscious in a basement and taken to a hospital after they were overcome by carbon monoxide ...
Measuring the “fresh air” of outside in Oakland area
UC Berkeley to install 40 carbon dioxide sensors in Oakland
San Francisco Business Times
Chemists from the University of California, Berkeley, plan to put 40 sensors over 27 square miles of Oakland and other bits of the East Bay to measure carbon dioxide pollution… The shoebox sized sensors will measure carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone in the air, as well as temperature, pressure and humidity. Once the sensors start tabulating data, they'll send it every five seconds to Hildebrand Hall on the Cal campus to be posted on The Berkeley Atmospheric CO2 Observation Network. NOTE: This ambient air data link for Oakland will be also be posted on the CO News page for those who have an interest in tracking an air quality testing program.
One year later and people of vulnerable health still not accounted for
California's mandatory carbon monoxide law near one year ...
KSWT-TV
July 1st will be the one-year anniversary of carbon monoxide detector law in California. However, Arizonans should also be aware of the so called "silent killer". NOTE: Approved alarms by U.L. 2034 listing provide for alarms to be tested at 70, 150 and 400 PPM. When carbon monoxide reaches these levels, the listing requires them to "resist" alarming until a noted period of time has elapsed. At 70 PPM of carbon monoxide it may take up to 4 hours of time. With fluctuating levels under 70 PPM, you may never know.
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.
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
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
