Natural gas provides heat and energy throughout the country but gas can be exceptionally dangerous either through its explosive powers or through its products of incomplete combustion–primarily carbon monoxide. Gas which is distributed through aging pipelines in many areas of the country can erupt with explosive force and destroy lives and buildings in seconds. Nationally, over 83,000 miles of distribution lines are untreated to prevent corrosion and are aging. Many of these mains are located in urban or heavily populated areas. (more…)
Most people think of carbon monoxide poisoning as coming from automobile exhaust or faulty heating systems and indeed much of it does come from those sources. However, in the summer time houseboats can become a significant source of injury and death from this lethal poison gas. (more…)
The danger of carbon monoxide has been recognized in terms of its hypoxic effect for some time. This happens because carbon monoxide binds with the red blood cells or hemoglobin at a rate 240 times greater than does oxygen. This displaces oxygen in the transport to the organs of the body that are so dependent upon the constant replenishment of oxygen supply. The brain and the heart are the two largest consumers of oxygen in the body. It is now becoming recognized that carbon monoxide also causes a cascade of inflammatory effects that damage the brain and heart even after the carbon monoxide or carboxy hemoglobin levels have declined. (more…)
As the cold months of winter embrace the country, particularly in the northern states, it is worth while to remind ourselves of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Most carbon monoxide deaths and injuries occur from malfunctioning heating systems, improperly vented supplementary heaters, and automobile exhaust.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it is odorless and colorless and can fill a house to lethal levels without the occupants being aware of its presence. CO can also come into living spaces at less than lethal levels over prolonged periods of time and cause brain and heart damage. (more…)
