CPSC Awards More than $3.0 Million in Grants to 22 State and Local Governments to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Release Date: July 02, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric announced today 22 awardees of a grant program aimed at preventing carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The state and local governments were selected by CPSC, from a group of 31 applicants. CPSC will provide more than $3 million in federal Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program (COPPGP) funds that will be matched by $1 million in recipient funds. This will fund state and local government efforts to reduce deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program Awards

Awardee  State  Award Amount
Alaska Department of Public Safety Alaska $100,000.00
City of Huntington Beach California $53,400.00
City & County of Denver Colorado $82,500.00
Government of District of Columbia District of Columbia $130,000.00
State of Georgia Department of Public Health Georgia $178,577.93
City of Aurora Illinois $51,000.00
Louisiana State Fire Marshal Louisiana $37,500.00
Maryland Department of State Police Maryland $200,000.00
City of Boston Massachusetts $260,031.75
City of Pontiac Michigan $300,000.00
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Minnesota $200,000.00
New Hampshire Department of Safety New Hampshire $90,772.50
City of Jamestown New York $176,297.23
City of Syracuse New York $50,000.00
County of Rockland New York $100,000.00
Gates Fire District New York $50,000.00
City of Akron Ohio $76,460.00
City of Portland Oregon $320,000.00
City of Sevierville Tennessee $41,250.00
Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Tennessee $300,000.00
Vermont Department of Public Safety Vermont $50,772.01
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue Washington $187,500.00

CPSC’s grant program is authorized through the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2022 to provide eligible state, local, and tribal governments with grants to purchase and install CO alarms in residential homes and dwelling units of low-income families or elderly people and facilities that serve children or the elderly, including childcare centers, public schools and senior centers, and to develop training and public education programs with the goal of preventing CO poisoning. This legislation was sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) in the Senate, and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia) and Rep. Annie Kuster (D-New Hampshire) in the House. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on March 15, 2022.

“Following the deaths of two boys from carbon monoxide poisoning in their home, Congress enacted this grant program to prevent future tragedies. I am pleased that we are moving forward with these 22 grants to states and localities that will enable them to educate their residents and prevent CO poisoning in their communities,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric.

Grantees will have two years to use the funding to purchase and install CO alarms and complete training and education efforts.

The burning of fuels produces CO, which is a colorless, odorless gas. Exposure to unhealthy levels of CO can lead to CO poisoning, a serious health condition that could result in death. Unintentional CO poisoning from motor vehicles and fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and stoves, annually kill more than 400 individuals. CO alarms save lives and should be installed on every level and outside sleeping areas in residences.

Visit CPSC’s Carbon Monoxide Information Center to learn more about the dangers of CO and how to protect families from invisible killer. https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center

CPSC Awards More than $3.0 Million in Grants to 22 State and Local Governments to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning | CPSC.gov

 

Carbon monoxide leak forces evacuation at The Statesman apartment building

“Dozens of residents evacuated the building after receiving a notification from their carbon monoxide detectors or hearing about the leak from neighbors, but residents said they did not receive orders from The Statesman or fire officials to leave their apartments.“

Carbon monoxide leak in The Statesman spurs evacuation – The GW Hatchet

Two firefighters wanted sandwiches. They saved people from carbon monoxide poisoning instead.

Washington, DC –

“Firefighters Melvin Batts and Sam Acala had popped into a Subway restaurant near Greenbelt and Good Luck roads around noon when the carbon monoxide detectors strapped to their walkie-talkies went off…’The readings we found were as high as 600 ppm’…The shopping center was immediately evacuated, and firefighters suited up to find the leak. Emergency crews found that the exhaust vent from an air conditioning unit was broken and funneling carbon monoxide into stores instead of outside.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/two-firefighters-wanted-sandwiches-they-saved-people-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-instead/2016/10/14/a69dcb52-9250-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html

Laurel Walmart evacuated due to high carbon monoxide levels

The Laurel Walmart was evacuated Sunday morning due to high carbon monoxide levels in the building, an Anne Arundel County Fire Department spokesman said.

Fire personnel responded to the store in the 3500 block of Russett Green East at 10:27 a.m. for a medical emergency and found an injured employee, Fire Department Lt. Russ Davies said.

The person, whose identity and condition were unknown, was transported to Laurel Regional Hospital.

While at the store, fire personnel discovered high carbon monoxide levels and decided to evacuate the roughly 250 people in the building.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is toxic to humans and animals when encountered in high concentrations.

The source of the leak appears to be the store’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, Davies said. The building was ventilated until carbon monoxide levels dissipated, and employees were allowed to return at around 12:30 p.m.

https://www.capitalgazette.com/cg2-arc-140106cn-carbonmonoxide-20140105-story.html

Georgetown Residents Evacuated in Carbon Monoxide Scare

Firefighters evacuated people living above Qdoba Mexican Restaurant in Georgetown Tuesday morning because of high levels of carbon monoxide.

The restaurant is near 33rd and M Street in northwest Washington.

Firefighters told News4 a faulty stove triggered the carbon monoxide alarms upstairs.

Two pilot lights on the stove were left on.

No one was hurt and everyone was able to go back into their homes.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/georgetown-residents-evacuated-in-carbon-monoxide-scare/1915818/