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An unexpected and worrying outcome of the four major hurricanes (cyclones)
that affected Florida, in 2004, were 161 non-fatal cases, and six fatal
cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Almost all were traced to petrol-fuelled
generators located outside the premises and used to drive air conditioners
that then sucked in the fumes. Others were placed within a metre or so
of the premises to enable an electrical connection to be made to those
premises.
Even though one third of the households concerned had a CO detector,
only one of those detectors sounded an alarm. Four of the alarms were
found to have dead batteries. One sounded an alarm in a security company,
but that company was unable to warn the household by telephone in time
to prevent fatalities. In most of the incidents, three or more people
were involved. Subsequent investigations of many previous US hurricanes
showed the same previously unsuspected pattern: a major and causally-related
increase in the number of deaths from CO poisoning by (mainly) small
petroleum fuelled electric generators. With most deaths the poisonous
fumes were sucked into air conditioner inlets from generators sited less
than two metres from the premises.
Despite public warnings of the now known risk, 27 incidents of petrol
generator induced CO poisoning were reported immediately after cyclones
Katrina and Rita in late 2005. These resulted in 78 non-fatal cases and
10 deaths (each incident typically affecting three or so people). What
was not widely reported however was the prevalence and effects from a
great deal of low-level CO.
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is produced
virtually anywhere and at any time things are burned, but petrol-fuelled
generators are particularly prone to generate large amounts. The US Consumer
Product Safety Commission (Washington DC) reported in Sept 2004, that
a typical 5.5 kW generator emits as much C0 as that of six idling automobiles.
The report also notes: “When used indoors or in close proximity
to residential dwellings, this exhaust can quickly infiltrate living
spaces and incapacitate occupants.”
The big problem with C0 is that it has a strong affinity for the red
blood cells that normally transport oxygen throughout the body. It displaces
that oxygen. The Katrina and Rita experiences showed that smokers were
more affected: by a ratio of over 4:1.
The symptoms of low levels of C0 are likely to include drowsiness, headaches,
heart palpitations, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms become more pronounced
with CO exposure and concentration. They may also include low blood pressure,
coma and respiratory failure. Repeated low-level exposure may result
in flu-like symptoms.
Older people, and/or people with heart or lung problems (and particularly
if smokers), are particularly at risk. Their systems are less able to
cope with lower than normal oxygen uptake.
The main risk with motorhomes is probably that of CO being blown back
to the vehicle and entering via open windows, ventilators etc, and especially
sucked in by fans or air conditioners. If I were to have a generator
(heaven forbid!) I would have the exhaust extended to above roof level.
Having the generator some distance away is not always practicable. Where
it is however, placing it closer to a neighbour than yourself is decidedly
anti-social. There appear to be no published studies regarding safe distances.
Never leave a nearby generator running overnight. By far the majority
of deaths occur this way. The only consolation is that it is a painless
way to go: the stuff sends you to a sleep from which you may never awake.
It makes every sense, if you have a generator, to install a CO detector.
And to check the batteries once a year.
Collyn Rivers, W8054.
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