March 4, 2024
By Eric Spacek
Carbon monoxide (CO) is often referred to as the “silent killer.” This colorless, odorless gas is released in the exhaust from fossil fuel burning engines in cars, trucks and other machinery. But, it can also be released from poorly working furnaces or equipment inside your building, which can lead to CO poisoning of anyone in the facility.
The risk of CO poisoning is especially high during the winter, when heating systems are frequently running. Organizations can lessen the risk by having a qualified professional inspect all furnaces, gas stoves and fireplaces annually to ensure they are working properly and have adequate ventilation. This professional should also inspect flue pipes for rust holes, poor connections and blockages.
Other ways to prevent CO poisoning include:
- Install CO alarms — Even equipment that has been regularly checked by a professional can unexpectedly malfunction. When this happens, it’s vital to minimize damage by catching the problem quickly. Organizations should install CO alarms throughout their facility. If people are living in the building, an alarm should be installed in every bedroom. CO detectors should be regularly tested and replaced every five to seven years.
- Never use generators indoors — The exhaust from internal combustion engines contains high levels of CO. If you use gas-burning generators for emergency power during an electrical outage, they should always be placed at least 10 feet away from the building.
- Use kitchen vents whenever the stove is on — Kitchen stoves are the root cause of many CO poisoning cases. To ensure proper ventilation, organizations should always run the exhaust fan when cooking and open a nearby window to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Clean out fireplace flues — If your building has a fireplace, be sure to clean out the flue before every use to prevent it from becoming clogged with soot and debris. A restricted flue can trap carbon monoxide inside a building.
- Don’t leave vehicles idling in a garage or outside for more than a short time — Because vehicle exhaust contains CO, never idle a vehicle near the building’s air input system. If you do, you run the risk of introducing CO into the system and putting everyone in the building in danger.
- Never use gas-powered tools in confined spaces — Like vehicles and generators, gas-powered equipment produces CO from the exhaust. In a tight space, the CO can build up and put the operator in danger of CO poisoning.
Be aware of the warning signs of a CO problem so you can quickly respond and remedy the situation. Signs include:
- Streaks of soot around fuel-burning appliances.
- Excess moisture on windows, walls or other cold surfaces.
- Excessive rust on flue pipes, pipe connections or appliance jacks.
- Orange or yellow flames (rather than the proper blue color) in the combustion appliances.
- Small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney vent or flue pipe.
- Damaged or discolored bricks at the top of the chimney.
Of course, it’s most important to protect the people in your building if a problem is detected. Know the signs of CO poisoning, which include:
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Tightness across the chest.
- Shortness of breath.
Keep in mind, any organization that maintains a building has an obligation to protect those inside the facility from CO poisoning — if it doesn’t, the negligence can lead to major injuries and costly lawsuits. By taking every precaution, however, you may have a viable defense in court.
Protecting Parishioners from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Church Executive
Monroe, Utah • Nearly 50 people were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning Sunday after the toxic gas was detected in a south-central Utah meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office, emergency medical teams were called to the Monroe East chapel for two separate patients. The first was for a 4-year-old girl who was having breathing problems. She had been sick earlier in the week, so it was believed that she was experiencing lingering symptoms from that illness. About an hour later, emergency crews were called to the church again for a man who was feeling sick.
Later that day, family members reported that they all had headaches when they returned home from the church. The Monroe Fire Department then went to the building, where crews detected high levels of carbon monoxide. The building was evacuated.
Officials said that throughout Sunday evening, multiple people became sick and went to Sevier Valley Hospital in nearby Richfield to seek treatment. A church spokesperson said 54 people in total reported symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Of those, 49 were treated, and 22 of them needed to be transferred to other hospitals for further care.
A church statement said the leak was caused by a malfunction in the building’s heating system.
Nearly 50 people treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after leak in LDS meetinghouse (sltrib.com)
Sevier County church remains closed after dozens treated for carbon monoxide poisoning | KUTV
Utah church where 54 fell sick wasn’t required to have carbon monoxide detector (sltrib.com)
Rochester, MN –
“The man, 59, had gone out to a maintenance shed a few hours earlier to do some work. When church staff went to check on him, they found him dead…There was a gas tank on an engine that was out of gas.”
Rochester man found dead in church shed, carbon monoxide detected (kttc.com)
ENID, OK
“Three people were transported to a hospital and three others were treated at the scene after being overcome by carbon monoxide Saturday at an Enid church.
According to Enid Fire Department Deputy Chief Chad Mantz, the six people were overcome at the church at 1724 W. Broadway, where propane burners or cookers were being used in the basement.”
EPD: 6 people treated for carbon monoxide exposure | News | enidnews.com
“…the initial call indicated an unresponsive toddler. A fire official said the child required advanced life support care in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
11 people sickened by carbon monoxide inside Evanston church, toddler among 6 hospitalized – Chicago Tribune
Dallas, TX – CO alarms provide an immediate alert when someone makes a life threatening mistake, like using a grill indoors. Hopefully these people are all okay and have no long term effects.
https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2019/11/13/10-hospitalized-carbon-monoxide-exposure-propane-grill-church/
“Firefighters were called to the meetinghouse at 650 E. Stadium Ave. in Provo just after 11 a.m. Sunday. They later learned that a boiler problem had sent a buildup of carbon monoxide into the church…Firefighters measured the carbon monoxide in the air at the church at 400 to 500 ppm…Of the 60 people treated, 24 underwent hyperbaric treatment, a therapy where people with carbon monoxide poisoning are put in a chamber filled with pure oxygen”
CO poisoning at Provo church serves as reminder of cold weather risks – Deseret News
https://kutv.com/news/local/at-least-60-sickened-by-carbon-monoxide-at-lds-church-some-may-suffer-long-term
https://www.meadvilletribune.com/news/carbon-monoxide-detector-likely-saves-meadville-clergyman-s-life/article_ec8d4b2c-45f6-11e9-9c59-6741c872d5aa.html
Marshalltown, Iowa –
“Authorities say one person died and 14 more were hospitalized after breathing carbon monoxide at their church in Iowa, where a gasoline-powered generator was running in the unvented basement to provide heat and lighting.”
1 person dies after carbon monoxide buildup at church – Times-Herald (timesheraldonline.com)
Gloversville, NY –
“Six people were hospitalized Monday after a carbon monoxide leak at a local church.
The leak took place at North Main Street United Methodist Church. The Gloversville fire chief said the people affected are lucky to be alive after his crew determined the leak had been going on for several weeks.
The source of the leak is unknown, but the chief said the church’s chimney was plugged, which played a factor. People had been getting sick at the church, but until now, no one realized it was a carbon monoxide leak.”
6 hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak at Gloversville church (news10.com)
Alpine, UT—
“A nearly lethal carbon monoxide leak at a church in Alpine Utah went completely undetected by the high priest’s group meeting in the room. The leak, resulting from a malfunctioning heating system, caused many of the older priesthood holders to cough excessively while rendering other attendees completely unresponsive…Emergency crews were late arriving at the scene because people looking through the classroom window did not detect anything out-of-the-ordinary when they saw the breathless, wheezing, or passed-out high priests…”
The Mormon Tabernacle Enquirer: NEARLY LETHAL CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK UNDETECTED IN HIGH PRIEST GROUP MEETING (motabenquirer.blogspot.com)
“The largest occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning in Britain demonstrates the potential for mass accidental poisoning. It emphasises the need for strict public health controls and the importance of good liaison between emergency services to ensure that such events are quickly recognised and that the necessary resources are organised.”
Mass carbon monoxide poisoning – PMC (nih.gov)
MENU
