Carbon Monoxide The “Invisible Killer” 2007 NNEPC

Objectives 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 Wellington North Fire 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

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

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

2007 NNEPC Wellington North Fire 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

2007 NNEPC Wellington North Fire Is CO Poisoning Common? 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 Poisonings occur more often in the fall and winter months Accounts for approximately 50,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S., and tens of thousands in Canada

2007 NNEPC Sources Burning fuels such as: wood, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal and diesel   Electrical appliances do not produce CO 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 ) Some aerosols sprays 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 Wellington North Fire Cold Weather Hazards 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

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

2007 NNEPC Wellington North Fire Warm Weather Hazards 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

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

2007 NNEPC CO Exposure for 1 Hour 0 – 9 ppm: no health risk normal CO levels in the air 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 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 30 – 35 ppm: flu like symptoms begin to develop especially in the young and elderly 36 – 99 ppm: nausea, headaches, drowsiness, vomittinig 36 – 99 ppm: nausea, headaches, drowsiness, vomittinig 100 ppm and up: severe symptoms, including confusion, headache, incoherent, unconscious, death 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 Wellington North Fire Signs and Symptoms Flu-like symptoms (without fever or runny nose) including: – –Headache – –Fatigue/sleepiness – –Shortness of breath – –Nausea – –Dizziness – –Confusion or disorientation Young children, elderly and household pets are usually effected first

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

2007 NNEPC Wellington North Fire Prognosis 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. If pregnant, fetal complications or death may result.

2007 NNEPC Wellington North Fire Carbon Monoxide Alarm Your best protection! 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 Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, It COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

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

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

2007 NNEPC Fire Department/EMS’s role? Rescue victims Special detectors that monitor parts per million (PPM) of the atmosphere at any given location. – –Find source of CO – –Can detect small amounts of CO 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 Wellington North Fire Visual Warning Signs Streaks of carbon or soot around door of your fuel-burning appliance. No draft in your chimney. A large amount of rusting on flue pipes or appliance jackets or vent pipes. Moisture on windows/walls of furnace doors.

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

2007 NNEPC What Do We Do?? Arrive on scene Arrive on scene Take command! Take command! Take control! Take control! Stage Stage Accountability!! Accountability!! SAFETY FIRST! 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? PACK UP!! PACK UP!! Turn detector on in fresh air Turn detector on in fresh air Find source Find source Radio back what we need.. Radio back what we need.. SAFETY FIRST!! SAFETY FIRST!!

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

2007 NNEPC IDENTIFY THE SOURCE HOW DO WE DO THIS?? Through means of elimination Through means of elimination What possible sources are in the house? 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 pin pointing the source

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