Thursday, March 29, 2018

Carbon Monoxide News March 29, 2018, 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.

How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, bio link)

"Lucky Old Sun" Brian Wilson - 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 breathe.

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…

Bob Dwyer
Carbon Monoxide Safety Association

COSA provides Carbon Monoxide safety education and training.

World Wide Reports - Pollution and Health Effects 
Carbon Monoxide News Links –
More news links below

Residents Of Apartment Treated For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Patch.com
PLEASANTON, CA — The concerned residents, who noticed a strong odor of natural gas, called 911 after their smoke/carbon monoxide detector sounded multiple times. - Firefighters detected high readings of carbon monoxide and discovered that the water heater inside the apartment was emitting 300 times more carbon monoxide than it should.Fire officials said the residents, who complained of headaches for several days, were treated at the scene for acute carbon monoxide poisoning and were released…

Faulty Vent Apparent Cause to High Carbon Monoxide Levels in Odin School
WJBD Online
Odin School Superintendent Jeff Humes says a faulty vent apparently allowed a back flow of carbon monoxide into the building late Monday afternoon. - School was cancelled Tuesday to allow the district to fully investigate the problem and make sure there were no gas leaks. Classes resumed Wednesday morning. - Humes says the vent apparently became loose allowing the discharge from the chimney to be pulled back into the building. The problem apparently was made worse by blowers being turned on that drew in more of the bad air…

Recall roundup
KATV
Kidde is one of the country's oldest manufacturers of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The company has been in business for 100 years...but that doesn't mean mistakes aren't made. - Close to half-a-million smoke alarms are being recalled by Kidde because a yellow cap left on during the manufacturing process can cover one of the two smoke sensors...compromising the device's ability to detect smoke…

Iowa bill would eliminate boiler inspections in thousands of public buildings
KWQC-TV6
BETTENDORF, Ia. (KWQC) - A new bill would eliminate annual inspections for nearly 8,000 water heating boilers in the state of Iowa. According to the Iowa Division of Labor, year inspections are required in most public buildings, including churches, schools, nursing homes, and day cares. Single family homes and restaurants are exempt from this requirement. - Right now, boilers labeled 'inactive' require an operating inspection before they are turned back on. That inspection checks for several safety requirements. However, this bill would eliminate the need for the operating inspection before inactive boilers are turned back on. Chief Boiler Inspector, Bob Bunte said it could pose a greater risk to the public. - "It's a fair statement to say if no one is looking at a piece of equipment the percentage of something going wrong that we don't know about increases 100 percent," said Bunte. "What does that equate to as far as damages or problems? Nobody can really tell you that because every piece of equipment is different."

Southern Hemisphere Warning As Cooler Weather Season Nears
Carbon monoxide warning over potentially deadly gas heaters
Yahoo7 News
Energy Safe Victoria has urged people to make sure their Vulcan Heritage or Pyrox Heritage gas heaters have been tested by a qualified gasfitter before use. - Victoria’s Director of Energy Safety Paul Fearon said both brands of the heater produce high levels of carbon monoxide under certain conditions. - “If the house is well sealed and the heater is operating at the same time as a kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan, carbon monoxide from the heater can be drawn into living areas,” he said. - Mr Fearon also said this was a timely reminder to make sure people have their indoor gas appliances, especially heaters, checked by a qualified gas fitter every two years…

Spring Break Safety: Carbon Monoxide Detectors
KDRV
If you're planning on staying somewhere unfamiliar - like a destination hotel or a vaction rental - there's an item that you should consider bringing that's probably not on your packing list. a portable carbon monoxide detector..

Safety Education - Poster Contest Listing
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
We challenged middle school students to create posters warning people about the dangers of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO). Did students ever step up to the challenge! We received 700 poster entries – a record number!        Watch the video of the winning posters.

Please Note: "Place a carbon monoxide alarm with a digital display on a seat in the motor vehicle when you are out driving in emergency snow conditions (or always for that specific). Harmful levels of carbon monoxide (CO) can penetrate inside a motor vehicle just due to prevailing winds and exhaust not moving away from the vehicle but under it. If you want to learn more about carbon monoxide, begin measuring it with a personal CO monitor everywhere you go." Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety 
  
Scroll Down For More of Today's CO & Air Quality News Links 
Please, stop diagnostic errors; start testing for carboxyhemoglobin
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 (1933-2017)

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: Carbon Monoxide Survivor

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
"Love Song To The Earth" - Official Lyric Video

CO, Air Quality & Pollution News Links

Exposure to certain chemicals may cause hearing loss, OSHA warns
Safety+Health magazine
Washington — Ototoxicants: chemicals that can cause hearing loss and balance issues when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin – are found in certain pesticides, solvents and medications, and the risk of their adverse effects increases when workers are exposed to elevated noise levels, OSHA cautions in a Safety and Health Information Bulletin published March 8. - OSHA groups ototoxic chemicals into five groups – pharmaceuticals (including analgesics and antibiotics), solvents, asphyxiants (including tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide), nitriles, and metals and compounds. Industries with higher exposure risk to ototoxicants include agriculture, construction, mining and utilities. Manufacturing industry subsectors at risk include fabricated metal workers, textile and apparel workers, painters, and ship and boat building workers…

Update
Four transported to hospital March 14 after CO poisoning in Newport
South Washington County Bulletin
All four residents were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, and the fire department vented carbon dioxide out of the house. None of the residents was critically poisoned, authorities said. Pets were also removed from the home to the neighbor's residence.

Help needed for flood victims
WLKM Radio
The St. Joseph County United Way is appealing to the public in an effort to raise funds for a pair of flood victims. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said one house needs a new furnace. The owner, an elderly woman, was taken to the hospital recently for treatment from carbon monoxide poisoning…

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.

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 ...
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 acute levels, but be aware you can still experience symptoms of the poisoning even though the devices are in place.

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

Tribute
George Kerr, a pioneer in smoke and carbon monoxide alarm manufacturing passed away in his home during the early morning of July 4, 2017. George will always be remembered for his passion to save lives and protect the health of people through low level carbon monoxide detection and alarming. He lived for over 84 years, beginning his career in fire safety in 1953. “We’ll never know how many lives we’re saving, but I know we are saving a few.” George E. Kerr (1933-2017)

These following links may be of some use to you:
- The World Clock - Time Zones


- 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 Thirty-two (32) U.S. states along with the District of Columbia have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain buildings. Updated May 2017
Alaska | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Iowa | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
Minnesota | Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York |
North Carolina | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |Tennessee
Texas
| Utah |Vermont | Virginia | Washington |West Virginia | Wisconsin |

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
Masimo - see RAD 57
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
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