Carbon Monoxide The Invisible Killer 2007 NNEPC

Carbon Monoxide The “Invisible Killer” 2007 NNEPC

Objectives n n n Define carbon monoxide Describe possible sources Identify carbon monoxide poisoning signs and symptoms Understand who is at risk for poisoning Describe key prevention tips and available resources 2007 NNEPC

What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless nonirritating gas produced when sources of carbon, such as fuels or wood are burned Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Carbon Monoxide (CO) vs. Carbon Dioxide (CO 2) Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide A byproduct of burning fuels Gas exhaled with normal breathing A poison even at low doses An asphyxiant and poisonous at high doses Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Who is at Risk? n EVERYONE, especially: – People using alternate heat sources during power outages – Elderly – Pregnant women, infants, – Individuals with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Who is at risk? Cont…. . – Personnel at fire scenes (fire-fighters/rescue workers)…. . US!! – Individuals working with combustion engines or combustible gases indoors – Industrial workers at pulp mills, steel foundries and plants – Pets Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Is CO Poisoning Common? n One of the leading causes of unintentional/accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, In Canada, leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths with 414 Canadians being killed between 2000 and 2007 with 87 from Ontario n Poisonings occur more often in the fall and winter months n Accounts for approximately 50, 000 emergency department visits each year in the U. S. , and tens of thousands in Canada Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Sources n Burning fuels such as: wood, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal and diesel § Electrical appliances do not produce CO n Common sources of human exposure include: – Smoke inhalation from fires – Automobile exhaust – Faulty or poorly vented charcoal, kerosene or gas stoves – To a lesser extent, cigarette smoke and methylene chloride (industrial uses) 2007 NNEPC

Sources Charging batteries inside the home (seasonal batteries from a boat, snowmobile, motorcycle etc. . On a constant trickle charge ) n Some aerosols sprays n n Fumes from certain paints CO will be found on all levels of the home. CO does not collect in low-lying areas nor does it rise into the atmosphere. 2007 NNEPC

Cold Weather Hazards n Insufficient ventilation – Generators used inside during a power outage – Gas or kerosene heater in room without proper ventilation – Stoves or fireplaces that are improperly vented or blocked – Exhaust flues or appliance ducts that are blocked or sealed shut – Cars or trucks idling in a garage § Opening the door is not sufficient Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Cold Weather Hazards cont…. n Poor function or worn parts – Appliances and equipment – Heating systems n Improper use – Using charcoal grills indoors – Heating homes with gas ovens 2007 NNEPC

Warm Weather Hazards n Enclosed area (poor ventilation) – Gas, kerosene, charcoal, propane or hibachi grills – Gasoline-powered equipment (lawnmower, chainsaw, generator), used in a home, garage or under a tarp – Gas-fueled lanterns and stoves burned inside a tent, trailer, boat cabin without proper ventilation Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

How does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Work? Enters the body through the lungs and is delivered to the blood n Red blood cells pick up CO instead of oxygen – Hemoglobin likes CO 250 times more than oxygen n CO prevents the oxygen that is present from being readily released to and used properly by tissues Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

CO Exposure for 1 Hour n n n 0 – 9 ppm: no health risk normal CO levels in the air 10 – 29 ppm: would see problems with long term exposures such as headaches and nausea 30 – 35 ppm: flu like symptoms begin to develop especially in the young and elderly 36 – 99 ppm: nausea, headaches, drowsiness, vomittinig 100 ppm and up: severe symptoms, including confusion, headache, incoherent, unconscious, death Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

OHSA Current occupational exposure limits for the workplace can be found under Oreg: 833 Safe exposure limits of CO are currently 25 ppm of CO over an 8 hr period Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Signs and Symptoms n Flu-like symptoms (without fever or runny nose) including: – – – n Headache Fatigue/sleepiness Shortness of breath Nausea Dizziness Confusion or disorientation Young children, elderly and household pets are usually effected first Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Failure to Detect Danger n Often mistaken for the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses n Those sleeping or intoxicated can die before experiencing any symptoms n Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and death n Victims may become disoriented and unable to save themselves Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Prognosis n Difficult to predict the long-term effects of CO poisoning/exposure. – Even with proper medical treatment a few people can develop long-term brain damage. – Some individuals appear to have no long-term affects. n If pregnant, fetal complications or death may result. Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Your best protection! n Install a carbon monoxide alarm close to sleeping areas. For more protection: – Install one in every bedroom – Install one on every level of your home n Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, It COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Buying an Alarm n Do not buy based on price. n Purchase with Underwriters Laboratories (UL 2034) label. n Contact Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for assistance. n Follow manufacturers instructions for placement, use and maintenance. 2007 NNEPC

Maintaining Alarms n If battery powered – Check monthly – Replace batteries every year or when batteries are low, change your clocks n If electric, make sure there is battery backup in case of power outages. Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Fire Department/EMS’s role? Rescue victims n Special detectors that monitor parts per million (PPM) of the atmosphere at any given location. n – Find source of CO – Can detect small amounts of CO n If CO is detected: – The source will be investigated and identified – Next steps will be recommend – The area will be ventilated until CO levels are safe 2007 NNEPC

Visual Warning Signs Streaks of carbon or soot around door of your fuel-burning appliance. n No draft in your chimney. n A large amount of rusting on flue pipes or appliance jackets or vent pipes. n Moisture on windows/walls of furnace doors. n Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

Visual Warning Signs Cont…. Discolored or damage bricks at top of chimney. n Soot falling from fire place. n Flu-like symptoms that go away when you leave home and come back when you reenter. n Wellington North Fire 2007 NNEPC

What Do We Do? ? n Arrive on scene n Take command! n Take control! n Stage n Accountability!! SAFETY FIRST! 2007 NNEPC

SOG’s / POLICY Refer to and review any SOG’s or policies that are in place for carbon monoxide responses 2007 NNEPC

WHAT ELSE? n PACK UP!! n Turn detector on in fresh air n Find source n Radio back what we need. . SAFETY FIRST!! 2007 NNEPC

Monitoring Equipment Review gas monitor including: n Where the detector is located n Start up procedures n Bump test procedure n Location and function of sensors 2007 NNEPC

IDENTIFY THE SOURCE HOW DO WE DO THIS? ? n Through means of elimination n What possible sources are in the house? Our FD monitors may not be able to accurately determine the source of the CO leak. Union Gas may be notified to assist FD in pointing the source 2007 NNEPC

BEFORE WE LEAVE. . n WHAT SHOULD THE READING BE BEFORE WE LEAVE THE BUILDING? n Are there any agencies we need to contact n How do we contact them? ? STAY FOCUSED 2007 NNEPC