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Health Indicator Report of Carbon Monoxide: Poison Control Exposures

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can happen quickly and without warning. This cause of poisoning or 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. Wherever there is a flame or combustion, deadly carbon monoxide gas can be produced. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces making the air poisonous for people and animals. CO poisoning is particularly concerning after emergency situations because the emergency equipment used during power outages or nature disasters gives off CO. Generators, grills, camp stoves, 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 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; due to the possibility of rapid CO accumulation while boating, it is recommended that all boat owners schedule regular engine and exhaust system maintenance for their boats 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 install a properly working CO detector in your home. These can be purchased at most grocery and home improvement stores for a relatively low cost. Additionally, it is crucial to check and maintain your CO detector including, but not limited to, changing batteries and checking its power source.
This data may be used to estimate the population's exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and to potentially monitor trends over time. They may also be used to estimate CO exposures among exposed persons who may not be treated in a healthcare facility. Not all potentially hazardous CO exposures will be captured by poison control center calls. If there are no acute symptoms from a moderately elevated exposure in the home, it will unlikely be recognized.

Unintentional Carbon Monoxide Exposures: Number Reported to Poison Control Center (Crude Rate) by Year and Treatment in a Healthcare Facility, Utah, 2013-2020

Data Source

Utah Poison Control Center

Data Interpretation Issues

Data from the Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC) may be missing Utah residents that were exposed to carbon monoxide (CO), but called another state's poison control center. The UPCC data include all calls in which actual or suspected human contact with CO was recorded. Exposed animals and out-of-state residents were excluded. Additionally, calls that were not exposure related (e.g. seeking CO education materials) were removed.

Definition

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled.

Numerator

Utah Poison Control Center (UPCC): Numbers of humans exposed to carbon monoxide Utah Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS): Number of households reporting at least one carbon monoxide detector in their house/current residence

Denominator

UPCC: Utah resident mid-year population estimates BRFSS: A weighted (by household) value that allows the estimate to be based on the total number of households in the state

Healthy People Objective EH-22.7:

Increase the number of States, Territories, Tribes, and the District of Columbia that monitor diseases or conditions that can be caused by exposure to environmental hazards: Carbon monoxide poisoning
U.S. Target: 56 States, Territories, and the District of Columbia

What Is Being Done?

Organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offer free resources that provide information about CO poisoning and prevention. Also, health promotion and community outreach activities are available to educate the public about CO poisoning and prevention. However, it is primarily up to the individual to practice behaviors that prevent CO poisoning such as installing working CO detectors and using equipment that emits CO gas properly.

Available Services

The [https://poisoncontrol.utah.edu/ Utah Poison Control Center] (UPCC) is a 24-hour resource for poison information, clinical toxicology consultation, and poison prevention education. This free and confidential service is available 365 days a year. For poison emergencies, questions, and prevention information call 1-800-222-1222.
Page Content Updated On 01/18/2022, Published on 02/18/2022
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH web site (http://ibis.health.state.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Tue, 19 March 2024 4:30:31 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://ibis.health.state.gov ".

Content updated: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 13:14:03 MST