Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While Having Fun This Summer

During the summer, the warm and bright weather draws a large number of people outside for activities like as camping and boating. The Tennessee Department of Health encourages residents and visitors to enjoy the season responsibly and to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, sometimes known as CO poisoning. In four separate incidents involving recreational vehicles or boats this summer, eleven people have been poisoned by carbon monoxide.

“We’re constantly concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning during storms and extreme weather, when people run portable generators too close to their doors or windows, for example.” Unfortunately, it can also occur in good weather when people are enjoying the great outdoors, but if equipment is in poor repair or is being utilized incorrectly,” stated TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “CO is an invisible killer that you can’t see, smell, or taste.” To assist prevent illness and death from CO poisoning, follow all manufacturer’s instructions for safe operation of generators and other fuel-burning devices, and install carbon monoxide detectors in areas like boats, RVs, and campers.”

 

CO is a harmful and potentially fatal gas created by generators, portable heaters, gas stoves, and other devices. Five Tennesseans were killed in 2011 when a rented recreational van filled with carbon monoxide from a nearby generator.

Carbon monoxide is produced by built-in or portable generators, gas-powered heaters, gas ranges or ovens, portable camp stoves, and gas water heaters in campers and RVs. Carbon monoxide poisons people and animals who breathe it in enclosed, semi-enclosed, or inadequately ventilated areas. Carbon monoxide is produced by gasoline-powered motors, including onboard generators, on boats. People swimming beneath rear swim platforms, where CO might build, may be at risk.

“We propose carbon monoxide detectors as critical instruments for preventing CO poisoning,” said Tim Jones, MD, director of the TDH’s Communicable and Environmental Disease and Emergency Preparedness section. “Sleep deprivation is a common cause of CO poisoning. CO monitors are commonly available at home and hardware stores, and they can provide an early warning before the gas level in your RV, camper, or boat reaches a dangerous level.”

To avoid CO poisoning, follow these guidelines:

• Inspect the generator exhaust system of the RV on a regular basis, at least before each trip.
• Every time you use an RV, test the carbon monoxide detector.
• Be wary of other neighboring cars that may be utilizing generators when the RV is parked. When parking, make sure the vehicle’s exhaust gases can easily escape.
• Never use a gas generator within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent in a house, garage, carport, basement, crawlspace, tent, or camper.
• Never heat with a gas range or oven. CO can build up inside the camper, lodge, or house as a result of this.
• Indoors, never use a portable gas camp stove.
• Never burn charcoal indoors.

Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and confusion are all common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. CO poisoning can result in loss of consciousness or even death.

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, shut down any gas sources. Anyone who has been exposed to a lot of CO should go outside right away to get some fresh air. If someone is unconscious, open the windows and doors to let fresh air in. If you or anyone else becomes ill as a result of CO exposure, dial 911 right once.

To learn more about carbon monoxide and preventing exposure in your home, visit the website at https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-carbon-monoxide

Standards or Guidelines

No standards for CO have been agreed upon for indoor air.  The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air are 9 ppm (40,000 micrograms per meter cubed) for 8 hours, and 35 ppm for 1 hour.