Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause sudden illness or death if inhaled. This cause of death
is almost entirely preventable if proper measures are taken such as always having a working carbon monoxide detector in your
home or work.
CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning
charcoal and wood, gas ranges, and heating systems. Whenever there is a flame or combustion, some deadly carbon monoxide gas
can be produced. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces causing people and animals in these
spaces to be poisoned by breathing it.
CO poisoning is especially a concern after emergency situations such as power outages or natural disasters because of certain
equipment people use that gives off CO. Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline equipment, propane, natural gas,
or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, camper, or even outside near an open window.
CO poisoning can also occur outdoors in fresh air and has been reported while boating. In this case, CO poisoning is attributed
mostly to generator exhaust that builds up inside and outside a boat in areas near exhaust vents. Dangerous concentrations
of CO can accumulate within seconds; therefore, schedule regular engine and exhaust system maintenance with your boat and
install and test daily a battery operated CO detector.
CO poisoning is almost entirely preventable. To protect yourself from CO poisoning, use equipment that emits CO responsibly
and use a properly working carbon monoxide detector in your home. These can be purchased at most grocery and home improvement
stores for relatively low cost.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure Reported to Poison Control Center by Year and Sex, Utah, 1998-2009
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.
How We Calculated the Rates
Numerator:
Human exposure case count.
Denominator:
Utah resident mid-year population.
Page Content Updated On 12/05/2012,
Published on 03/13/2013
Utah Environmental Public Health Tracking Network, Utah Department of Health, P.O. Box 142104, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2104, Telephone: 801-538-6191, Fax: 801-538-6564, Email:
eep@utah.gov
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health's Center for
Health Data IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.utah.gov). The information published
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Wed, 19 June 2013 5:51:36
from Utah Department of
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