“Noting that power outages may increase the risk for CO exposure through improper generator use, with children particularly vulnerable to CO poisoning, Alexander J. Northrop, M.D., from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City, and colleagues examined all-scale (≥1 percent of a community without power) and large-scale (≥20 percent of a community without power) outages and their impact on CO poisoning on the day of the initial outage and for three days thereafter.”
Power Outages Up Odds of Carbon Monoxide-Related ED Visits Among Children – Physician’s Weekly
UL Solutions can now test portable generators for carbon monoxide emissions and shutoff technology for additional consumer protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.
NORTHBROOK, Ill., September 26, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced it opened a new portable generator testing laboratory at the company’s multiple laboratory complex in Toronto to help global manufacturers bring safer portable generators to the market and help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning of humans and pets.
Climate change is making extreme weather events like wildfires, floods and hurricanes more frequent and severe. Scientists now say that carbon monoxide poisonings are on the rise amid widespread power outages following those events. ProPublica’s Lexi Churchill joins Ali Rogin to discuss her recent reporting on this issue.
“Portable generators actually lead to about 70 deaths a year from CO poisoning, which makes portable generators one of the most dangerous devices that consumers can buy on the market.”
Cleveland, OH –
“Upon our arrival, we found high levels of carbon monoxide on the first floor. After investigating the source of the carbon monoxide, crews found the generators powering the building were ventilated towards the interior of the building…”
Carbon monoxide leak at assisted living facility Friday night (news5cleveland.com)
“Her family had routinely used the generator when the power was out, including during the 2021 freeze, which resulted in the worst carbon monoxide poisoning event in recent history. They always kept the device at a safe distance to prevent the colorless, odorless gas from seeping inside. On July 11, however, they moved it a few feet closer to their home in Cleveland, Texas, placing it under the porch in anticipation of rain from the hurricane.”
“Peña said the Houston Fire Department is dealing with three times as many calls as usual in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.”
Video:
Fire Chief Sam Peña says HFD has had 200 carbon monoxide calls in last 24 hours | khou.com
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A pair of Wasilla women were found unresponsive inside a home on Saturday afternoon from what officials say is “likely” carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to Alaska State Troopers, authorities went to the Williwaw Subdivision in Wasilla early Saturday afternoon on a report of two deaths inside a home.
The report was received at 1:12 p.m.; Wasilla Police Department, Central Mat-Su EMS and Fire and troopers responded.
After lifesaving efforts were made on Desiree Michaud, 19, and Rosa Schlosser, 21, both women were declared dead, according to troopers.
The women were home while a generator was running inside a crawlspace, “likely dying from carbon monoxide poisoning,” troopers said.
Troopers say no foul play is suspected but the investigation into the deaths is not yet complete.
The women’s bodies were taken to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.
Key findings in the UL Standards & Engagement report include:
New Report: 86 Million Americans Are Unprotected Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (yahoo.com)
Consumers need to be especially careful when storms knock out electrical power. CO poisoning from portable generators can kill whole families in minutes. CO is called the invisible killer because it is colorless and odorless. CO poisoning from portable generators can happen so quickly that people can become unconscious before recognizing the symptoms of nausea, dizziness or weakness.
“A new CPSC report shows that the upward trend in non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths from consumer products, including portable generators and heating appliances, continued for the 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. The estimated number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products under CPSC’s jurisdiction rose to an all-time high of 254 in 2019. Although there were fewer estimated deaths, 211, in 2020, that number otherwise exceeds all earlier years in the period.”
Minnesota –
Two people are dead and one is in the hospital from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning near Princeton, about 50 miles north of Minneapolis.
The Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a house in Princeton Township shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday for an initial report of a possible overdose.
When they arrived, they found one person dead in an upstairs bedroom, along with a semi-conscious dog. The man was identified as 27-year-old Marcos Larson of Princeton.
Deputies also found a woman and cat, both deceased, in another location in the house. The woman’s name has not yet been released.
The woman who called 911 was taken to a Princeton hospital. Her condition wasn’t available.
A fire and rescue crew determined there was a lethal amount of carbon monoxide inside the home.
Mille Lacs County Sheriff Kyle Burton said from the early investigation, it appears the occupants were using propane heaters and space heaters run by a gas-powered generator to heat the home. He said the house had no power or running water.
Burton said the tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
“It is never safe to run combustion engines inside of an enclosed space,” Burton said. “Make sure your home is always equipped with working carbon monoxide alarms to alert you to dangerous levels.”
Sammi Baldwin said last month while cleaning an office space, she was overcome with carbon monoxide but didn’t realize it until it was almost too late. She is sharing her story of survival.
Monday, February 12th 2024, 5:41 pm
During the winter months, carbon monoxide poisoning calls go up. This year, EMSA so far, has responded to 17 carbon monoxide calls in the metro with four people transported to the hospital. One woman, who narrowly survived is sharing her story of survival.
Sammi Baldwin said last month while cleaning an office space, she was overcome with carbon monoxide but didn’t realize it until it was almost too late. “I just knew I was crawling for my life,” Baldwin said.
Listening to the 911 call from January 12, Baldwin says she knows she’s lucky to be alive. On the call, you can hear her gasping and choking for air. “I mean I was seconds away from not being here,” she said. “I could not get any air.”
Baldwin says she was cleaning for several hours when she had a headache and became dizzy. Thinking her blood sugar was low, she said she ate a piece of chocolate, but the symptoms worsened. “I got to the doorway and my legs went numb they went completely paralyzed, I collapsed right at the door,” Baldwin said.
She managed to call 911. “It was the generators during the ice storms, so we had generators going and there was, unfortunately, no airflow,” she said.
According to EMSA, the calls are more prevalent during the winter because people are using more heating sources like generators and space heaters. “It’s very quick, very lethal,” said Colin Roy, district chief with EMSA. “It can kill you pretty quick, most people will find themselves unresponsive before they even realize there’s a poisoning atmosphere that they’re in.”
Roy says the gas sneaks up on you because it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless. “Oxygen really doesn’t stand a chance against carbon monoxide when it comes to getting on to those red blood cells and passing around the blood to our bodies,” Roy said. “So, their entire body is starting to shut down and the respiratory track is trying to keep up to keep more oxygen going but really they’re just breathing in more carbon monoxide.”
What helped Baldwin was crawling to the door, but she still struggled. “I knew I was dying,” she said. “I was okay with that, I wasn’t angry or upset, I was just really sad I couldn’t say goodbye to my husband or kids.”
Baldwin didn’t have to, she survived when paramedics arrived in time. Now, she wants to warn others. “The fact that I’m still here and I shouldn’t be, I know that it was God,” she said. “Life is way too short and it’s very precious, I think people take it for granted, wake up and think they’re going to be here, you don’t know, you never know.”
EMSA says anything that combusts a fuel is going to put out carbon monoxide, even wood-burning fireplaces. So, if you have symptoms of dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, nausea, or vomiting, get outside and call 911.
EMSA also stresses that every home and business should have carbon monoxide detectors. They’re available at any hardware store, and many models cost less than $15 or $20.
Oklahoma Woman Survives Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Warns Others (newson6.com)
February 2024,
Related to uncontrolled exposure to potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Idaho Cleanup Project.
On January 31, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Enterprise Assessments, Office of Enforcement issued Enforcement Letter (WEL-2024-02) to Idaho Environmental Coalition, LLC for deficiencies in implementing DOE’s 10 C.F.R. Part 851 Worker Safety and Health Program requirements related to uncontrolled exposure to potentially dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Idaho Cleanup Project.
Enforcement Letter, Idaho Environmental Coalition, LLC | Department of Energy
“The event occurred on January 10, 2023, when workers were operating a
gasoline-powered welder generator inside the NRF-601 high bay. Earlier in the
day, IEC approved a work order change (WOC) for work order number 597489 to
move the generator from outdoors to inside the high bay. The WOC included a
warning that the generator produced harmful emissions that constituted a
respiratory hazard. In response to the WOC, workers established a safety
boundary around the generator, inserted a flex pipe into the exhaust stack, and
passed the flex pipe through the wall of the building to the outside…
…IEC did not report the CO exposure on the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration Form 300 or in the DOE Computerized Accident Incident
Reporting System database due to a misinterpretation of occupational exposure
reporting requirements.”
Anyone experiencing the issue with the RY903622VNM generator, which was sold online by Home Depot, can contact the company for a replacement
Ryobi Stops Sales of RY903622VNM Portable Generator for CO Sensor Problem – Consumer Reports
Oregon –
NEVER run a gas powered generator inside your home or other enclosed space – they produce lethal levels of carbon monoxide. Always have a battery powered CO alarm nearby when a generator is running.
“Because the apartment building had lost power, crews determined the family had been running a generator indoors and cooking inside the apartment with a propane camp stove.”
Family of 5 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning at SE Portland apartments (kptv.com)
by David Roesel, M.D.
“I was working at the Harborview Emergency Room that evening, and in addition to caring for the usual mix of patients as well as some injured from the storm, medic units began bringing in entire families who were suffering from the same symptoms…”
Winter Watch: Deadly Dangers of Carbon Monoxide | South Seattle Emerald
“The three people were found dead inside their trailer home on Indian Hill Drive.
Investigators say electricity was turned off to the home several weeks ago, so the owner put a generator out. But, investigators said the park doesn’t allow generators, so they put the generator in the back bedroom.
The victims were asleep in the front of the home when the fumes started to spread.
Investigators said one of the victims didn’t show up for work and when a family member came to check on them it was too late.
The victims have been identified by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office as David Vertis Dye, 53, of Crittenden; David Vertis Lee Dye, 21, of Crittenden; and Aubrie McGoveny, 20, of Covington.”
Sheriff: 3 found dead in Grant County from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning (wlwt.com)
GALESBURG, N.D. — Hundreds remain without power from this week’s ice storm and it could be for a few more days before power is restored.
One couple who lost power for a couple of days thought they were being extra cautious as they fought to keep the power going to their home.
They still nearly lost their lives.
Alan Paulson was dodging melting ice chunks from trees as he started the cleanup in his yard.
“Scary, probably shouldn’t be under here,” he said as chunks of ice fell.
That wasn’t nearly as scary as what Alan and his wife Sheri experienced Thursday.
“I thought we were safe,” he said.
After losing power, the couple set up a generator outside their garage in Galesburg to help keep their furnace and other appliances running.
The generator was placed about a foot from the garage door, which was closed except for where the power cords ran through.
The exhaust was facing away from the house.
“Probably a quarter-inch on each side,” he said referring to the gap under the garage door where two power cords were running.
It was just enough room for the wind to blow carbon monoxide from the generator back into the garage.
“The furnace probably blew it in around into our house,” he explained.
After having it running for five hours, the couple shut off the generator before bed for safety.
They admit they also took their plug-in carbon monoxide detectors out of the sockets because they kept beeping since the home was without power.
The next morning, the couple woke up with headaches and nausea.
“If we had run that generator all night we would probably not be here,” said Sheri Paulson.
After airing out their home while waiting for first responders to come check for possible carbon monoxide, firefighters still detected levels inside their home at 170 parts per million.
They should be below 10 parts per million.
Carbon monoxide in the human body should be around 3%.
Alan’s was around 40% and Sheri’s around 30%.
The couple spent five hours in the hospital receiving oxygen.
“They said we were very lucky, so that’s why we chose to be honest about this with people and share our story,” said Sheri.
What keeps playing through Alan and Sheri’s minds is the fact that their 2-year-old granddaughter was supposed to come over for the day on Thursday.
“We don’t even want to imagine if she had been with us,” Sheri said.
A couple lucky to be alive is now using the opportunity to share life-saving tips, namely installing battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and using caution when placing generators.
“A generator should be 25 to 30 feet from your house and should not be near any doors or windows,” Sheri said, citing CDC guidelines.
Gov. Janet Mills revealed the state Center for Disease Control has received multiple reports of possible carbon monoxide poisoning since Monday’s storm.
The Mills administration released tips on generator safety as many Mainers continue to deal with extended power outages.
In the release, it’s noted that 16 reports of carbon monoxide poisoning have been made in eight separate incidents due to improper generator usage.
According to the release, the poisonings were not fatal, but resulted in visits to emergency departments in the state.
According to the CDC, a single portable gas-powered generator can produce as much deadly CO gas as 100 idling cars.
“If you are using a generator or another source of heat, please be extra cautious and know the steps you can take to protect your family. With rising reports of carbon monoxide poisoning, we want Maine people to take every necessary precaution,” Mills said.
Those experiencing CO poisoning may have symptoms similar to the flu, including:
Depending on a person’s exposure to CO, poisoning can cause coma or death in a matter of minutes.
When running a generator, remember to place it outside and at least 20 feet from windows or doors and follow all safety instructions provided for the equipment.
It’s suggested you place a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near each sleeping area in your home. Those detectors should be checked regularly.
If you believe you have CO poisoning, leave your home, call 911 and do not go back inside the building until a fire department clears it.
16 cases of carbon monoxide poisonings reported since storm in Maine (wmtw.com)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – On Saturday, the Kansas City Fire Department reported a triple fatality carbon monoxide call.
According to KCFD, a carbon monoxide call was made around 6:50 a.m. concerning a residence near Fuller Avenue and 10th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
When crews arrived, they found three people dead and one in critical condition. The surviving victim was taken to an area hospital.
All four victims are males between the ages of 20 and 40, but no other identifying information is available at this time.
KCFD is investigating the incident and believes it may have been caused by using a generator indoors, but this has not been confirmed.
This incident is just blocks away from a similar incident in November, where three men were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator running indoors. KCFD warned that using generators in this manner is extremely risky.
“If you’re going to run any sort of gas-powered engine indoors or in a confined space whether it’s a generator or power washer, yeah, you’re playing a dangerous game,” battalion chief Michael Hopkins said at the time.
KCFD has issued safety tips on how to protect your home from poisonous gas.
Carbon monoxide poisoning in KCMO leaves three dead, one in critical condition (kctv5.com)
KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (WTVD) — Workers and animals at Wake Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care had to evacuate the building Monday due to a carbon monoxide poisoning scare.
It happened around 2 p.m. at the building located on Tandal Place in Knightdale near the intersection of Interstate 540 and Business 64.
ABC11 crews learned a generator associated with construction happening near the building was operating near the back door of the hospital. Exhaust smell from the generator caused someone to call the fire department.
First responders arrived and help evacuate the building out of an abundance of caution.
No humans or animals were seriously harmed, but they all could be seen gathering in the parking lot outside the building as first responders worked the scene.
Wake Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care evacuated due to carbon monoxide scare – ABC11 Raleigh-Durham
Mother, son die by carbon monoxide poisoning – Daily Journal Online
“At the 2021 Faster Horses festival, five country fans went to sleep in their trailer after a day of concerts — only two woke up. Inside one of many tragedies at country music’s deadly fest…”
Fans Keep Dying at Faster Horses Festival and Families Want Answers – Rolling Stone
Houston, TX –
“…a power generator was operating overnight inside one of the units. The manager of the apartment complex told ABC13’s Charly Edsitty that the power was out at the complex due to Wednesday’s storms…He also said the units do not have carbon monoxide detectors. They are not required because all of the stoves are electric at the complex.”
PLACER COUNTY, CA —
“A family in Placer County is mourning the loss of Jason Cassem, a dedicated father of two.
Cassem died of carbon monoxide poisoning at his home in Drum Forebay after a snowbank collapsed, trapping him inside a structure with a gas-powered generator.”
“Saying that manufacturers failed to make generators safer, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is moving forward with proposed regulations to bolster protections. The proposal comes after reporting by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News.”
CPSC Advances New Portable Generator Safety Rule — ProPublica
“For 2019, there were an estimated 250 consumer product-related CO deaths in the United States – greater than any other year in the report. Engine-Driven Tools (EDTs), including generators, were associated with the largest percentage of non-fire CO poisoning deaths for 2019. The report shows that since 2009, portable generators alone have been associated with an estimated 765 non-fire CO poisoning deaths, accounting for 40 percent of all CO deaths related to consumer products under CPSC’s jurisdiction.”
New CPSC Report Shows Upward Trend in Carbon Monoxide (CO) Fatalities | CPSC.gov
Wasilla, AK –
“Troopers said a living area inside an attic space had both a gas generator and a propane heater running without ventilation.”
Wasilla man dead after suspected carbon monoxide poisoning – Alaska Public Media
How can employers protect employees from the dangers of carbon monoxide?
Colusa, CA –
“Gene Beauchamp, 74, was an Army veteran and served in the Vietnam War…and Phil Mabray, a 61-year-old resident of Biggs in Butte County, were found dead Wednesday at a home on Spinnaker Close in The Sea Ranch…they were discovered by a crew from Gualala-based Gonzalez Tree Service that had been called in to remove a tree that fell onto the home…exact causes of death are being investigated, but the sheriff’s office has pointed to evidence indicating possible carbon monoxide poisoning….a generator was discovered in a hallway of the home, its switch on and its fuel tank empty…about a third of the homes in the community are occupied full time, a third are weekenders and the remainder are vacation and long-term rentals.”
Colusa man found dead in a Sea Ranch home was Vietnam veteran | News | appeal-democrat.com
BUSHKILL TWP., Pa. –
“A 71-year-old Northampton County man died of carbon monoxide poisoning after using a generator at his home, according to county Coroner Zachary Lysek.
Joel S. Kotulka, of the 300 block of Old Allentown Road in Bushkill Township, was discovered unresponsive in his detached garage on Dec. 25 where a running generator was being used, Lysek said.
When he was found, he was transported by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hecktown Oaks Campus, where he was pronounced dead at 9:11 p.m.
Kotulka’s neighborhood had lost power the afternoon of Dec. 23 due to the storm, Lysek said.
The cause of death was due to carbon monoxide toxicity, and the manner of death was ruled an accident, Lysek said.”
“…relatives and two survivors, Kurtis Stitt and Rayfield Johnson II, are suing Michigan International Speedway and Live Nation Worldwide, the concert promoter.. While sleeping in a camper, they inhaled or were exposed to exhaust fumes from a portable generator secured to the tongue area and exhausting under the trailer, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office reported..”
North Carolina –
“According to Deputy Jeff Caldwell the man’s death is from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a propane generator in his garage.
The man’s wife told deputies her husband went to the garage around 4:00 a.m. to check on the generator. Three hours later, at around 7:00 a.m., when he had not returned she went to the garage to check on his whereabouts and found him dead.”
“At the time of the incident, the Stampers’ home didn’t have any carbon monoxide detectors. They have now installed several CO alarms, as have all their neighbors…”
Kitten hailed a hero for saving family poisoned by carbon monoxide – Daily Tribune
“Look for portable generators that shut off automatically when high levels of CO are present. Some models with CO shut-off also have reduced emissions. These models may or may not be advertised as certified to the latest safety standards for portable generators- PGMA G300-2018 and UL 2201 – which are estimated to reduce deaths from CO poisoning by 87% and 100%, respectively.”
“The Committee is seeking to understand why your company has failed to adequately adopt industry-led standards, how your company plans to prevent putting your customers at risk in the future, and whether legislative reform is necessary to protect consumers…”
“Families of three men who died of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping at the 2021 Faster Horses Festival are suing the event promoter and Michigan International Speedway, alleging the campground was overcrowded, unsafe and improperly monitored and inspected…Live Nation and the speedway, which owns the land, did not monitor or supervise the campsites, making the area unfit and dangerous for campers to safely use generators, alleges the pending lawsuit, filed in April in Lenawee County Circuit Court.”
Survivors, families of men who died of carbon monoxide exposure sue Faster Horses, MIS – mlive.com
“When paramedics arrived on scene Saturday night, the carbon monoxide meters affixed to their medical bags immediately went into high alert upon entering the lobby of the theater…discovered levels of anywhere from 250 to 350 parts per million…Paramedics then called for additional fire personnel to arrive on scene in order to determine the cause of the carbon monoxide leak and the remaining patrons at the venue were evacuated. Eventually, officials reported finding the apparent culprit: three gas-powered generators in a partially-enclosed, outdoor service area that were being used to provide additional power needed for the band’s performance…”
Cleveland Hts. venue closed after reported CO leak (news5cleveland.com)
“Neighbors told fire crews that the trailer’s propane-powered generator turned on in the middle of the night when the power went out. Once power was restored Monday afternoon, they observed that the generator was still running, which is when they went to check on the trailer and noticed an unconscious person.”
Person life-flighted to hospital after carbon monoxide poisoning (koin.com)
Tampa, Florida –
“Tampa Fire Rescue said crews were sent to the Oaks at Riverview Apartments on North Florida Avenue after a man in his 50s was found unconscious in his unit…Captain Henry Williams with Tampa Fire Rescue says the generators were brought in the day prior, after a small fire broke out in one of the units…Water damage from the sprinklers forced management at the complex to get a 3rd party restoration company to bring in generators. Those generators were left on.”
2 hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning at Tampa apartments | WFLA
The announcement comes two months after an investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News detailed the deadly cost of the government’s failure to regulate portable generators.
Link to pdf:
Commission Briefing Package: Briefing Package on Portable Generator Voluntary Standards | CPSC.gov
“Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and potentially deadly gas. Each year, over 20,000 people in the United States are poisoned by carbon monoxide and nearly 450 people are killed.1,2,3 Carbon monoxide poisoning can be easy to diagnose when there is a history of exposure, but difficult when CO exposure is not suspected. We present a case of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning that was nearly missed due to a lack of screening in the field.”
“Portable generators are among the deadliest consumer products. Two decades after the government identified the danger, and as climate change leads to more power outages, people are left vulnerable by a system that lets the industry regulate itself.”
The generator industry resists safety rules despite carbon monoxide deaths | The Texas Tribune
“A quick-thinking 9-year-old in Brockton, Massachusetts, is being credited with saving her family after her parents were overcome by carbon monoxide from a generator they had borrowed after the powerful nor’easter that swept through the area…”
“It was 10 years ago this week that five people died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a recreational vehicle at Clarksville Speedway after they ran a generator that leaked into their small, rented camper.
The investigation results showed the RV had a carbon monoxide detector inside, but the batteries were dead.
The five people killed were Timothy Stone, 39; James Wall, 38; Jonathan Over and Kathryn Over, both age 27; and Allison Bagwell-Wyatt, 32. The five victims left behind 13 young children.”
Clarksville woman’s mission: Carbon monoxide awareness | Legislation | mainstreetclarksville.com
“It’s a $20 object, and their generator was $800,” Curley said. “If they had that, my children and their mother would still be here.”
“…the generator was new, with its box still inside of the house.”
Entire Family Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Hurricane Ida Takes Out Power (newsweek.com)
Brooklyn, MI –
“Three men died and two others are in critical condition after authorities believe a generator too close to their camper led to carbon monoxide exposure…(fire official said) making sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home and RV could save your life. He also said to be sure you are reading the instructions on generators to ensure they are safely being used.”
“To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, some new generators feature a built-in sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if CO gas builds up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space, like a garage or carport. And some portable models are now designed to emit less CO in the first place.”
“In their desperation, thousands of Texans unwittingly unleashed deadly gases into homes and apartments that, in many cases, were not equipped with potentially lifesaving carbon monoxide alarms, resulting in the country’s “biggest epidemic of CO poisoning in recent history,” according to Dr. Neil Hampson, a retired doctor who has spent more than 30 years researching carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention. Two other experts agreed.”
“Relatives of two East Texas residents have joined an existing wrongful death lawsuit filed in Harris County district court against the state’s grid manager and electricity providers, charging that their failure to prepare and negligent management of the electricity supply during winter storm blackouts caused their tragic deaths.”
“Why was the situation in Texas so extreme? It likely was related…to a lack of government regulation…only three states (Hawaii, Missouri, and Texas) do not require installation of carbon monoxide alarms in residences.”
HOUSTON – Houstonians and others desperate to heat their homes without power poisoned themselves in record numbers on Tuesday by running cars or generators in the garage and grills in the home, emergency officials said.
“Crews in Gladstone say six people are being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning early Tuesday morning after a generator was being used inside the basement of a home.”
A somber reminder of the importance of safely using generators and having working carbon monoxide alarms in your home
Don’t forget to have working CO alarms with battery backup on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas
Dix Hills, NY – Generator in use by roofing company.
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/12/11/dix-hills-carbon-monoxide/?fbclid=IwAR0tqhO8KqzPtutW6JwT-RiIsxWRAJLTBbDMTqCj1xeM_G3iP28KFdVqffk
“Eight of the 15 hurricane-related deaths confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health are attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators…”
Carbon monoxide poisoning from generators appears to have killed more people in Louisiana and Texas than Hurricane Laura itself, claiming at least eight lives along the Gulf Coast, where the storm destroyed buildings and left roughly 500,000 without power.
Texas –
“…it happened at Bida Vinh pool hall, 720 9th Avenue…preliminary information indicates several people needed a place to stay and they were staying inside the business. A generator had been placed outside.”
Cedar Rapids, Iowa –
https://kwwl.com/2020/08/14/three-girls-hospitalized-for-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-linked-to-generator/?fbclid=IwAR3fygx9EbfEcPkBzP2UIATFBfZXCDuoiZbrznsgPly0l54dElimGJe3b7o#.X0ACJWJSGhl.facebook
https://youtu.be/3ckhP3V8DAA
Bluffton, SC – “…firefighters determined that a portable generator running outside a window air-conditioner unit allowed the poisonous gas to spread through the home quickly.“ Remember to always operate generators at least 20 feet away from all living spaces, and install CO alarms on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas.
Brooklyn, NY –
WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (WABC) — One person is dead and four others were sickened after apparent carbon monoxide exposure in a Brooklyn building.
Emergency responders were called to 211 Jackson Street in East Williamsburg around 6:10 a.m. and found five people unconscious.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and four others were taken to the hospital in serious but non-life threatening conditions.
The FDNY has evacuated the building as well as an adjoining property 207 Jackson Street.
Officials said a generator was found in use at the scene, but the incident remains under investigation.
The FDNY said the victims were exposed to a carbon monoxide level of 250 parts per million. Levels over 70 ppm are considered dangerous.
The affected property is for sale and vacant, so the FDNY said the victims appear to be squatters.
https://abc7ny.com/williamsburg-brooklyn-carbon-monoxide-leak/5439951/
NEVER USE A GENERATOR IN A CONFINED SPACE – CO poisoning can happen anywhere…https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/FDNY-Carbon-Monoxide-Rescue-Construction-Site-Midtown-East-29-Street-505379371.html
3 people poisoned by CO as a result of construction workers using a gas powered generator inside vacant space in strip mall (Sante Fe Commons, Olathe, KS)…https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/three-people-hospitalized-after-carbon-monoxide-exposure-in-olathe-shopping-center
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)
Madison, WI –
The Madison Fire Department is investigating code regulations after a carbon monoxide scare sent dozens to the hospital.
The evacuation happened at Salon Centinela during a Wedding Saturday night.
A generator was brought inside the venue causing the carbon monoxide levels to increase to dangerous levels, 405 parts per million.
“When you’re at 400 parts per million of carbon monoxide, within a 2 to 3 hour period, it can be toxic to the body,” Lt. Ron Blumer says.
Garden City Park, NY –
“Garden City Park Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide situation at a Dominican-style restaurant Thursday and took a total of seven people to the hospital for treatment.
According to Garden City Park Fire Chief Roger Green, ‘outrageously high levels’ of carbon monoxide were found in the building at 2172 Jericho Turnpike, which was functioning on a basement generator after the power had been turned off.
The generator was located in a common basement of the building and police were alerted at about 3:42 p.m. by a phone call requesting medical aid. Workers in the restaurant and several tenants in the apartments above the restaurant had complained about headaches and nausea.
A total of seven persons were taken to Nassau University Medical Center with non-life threatening conditions while another six declined medical attention.
The Nassau Fire Marshals Office is investigating the situation and will be determining if charges will be filed.”
https://patch.com/new-york/newhydepark/several-sent-to-hospital-from-co2-in-garden-city-park
Monroe, CT –
“Police officers on patrol at around 10:30 Monday night saved the life of an employee of Healthy Food Chinese Kitchen, 650 Main Street, when an officer on patrol found the man lying unconscious on the floor behind the front counter with the gas generator running inside the restaurant, according to police.
Police said the man was taken away from the carbon monoxide filled room and outside to fresh air where oxygen was provided. Monroe Volunteer Emergency Medical Services personnel treated and revived him at the scene before he was transported to Bridgeport Hospital.”
https://patch.com/connecticut/monroe/police-save-restaurant-worker-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning
FRENCHTOWN — About 10 people were evacuated from the building at 10 Bridge Street last night, Tuesday, Nov. 2, to escape carbon monoxide fumes that spread throughout the three-story structure. The fumes came from a gasoline-powered generator being operated inside the dining room of the basement restaurant, Cocina Del Sol.
According to Frenchtown Union Fire Company Chief Gerald Hoffman, emergency units responded to the scene between 8 and 8:30 p.m. to perform the evacuation.
“It took to about 11:30 when we finally ventilated all of the building,” Hoffman said.
Besides the restaurant located in the basement, the building also contains specialty shops on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors.
Because the building had been without power, most of the apartment residents were not at home, the fire chief said.
Responding to the scene along with the Frenchtown Fire Company were Frenchtown Police, Quakertown Fire Company and a fire unit from Ottsville, Pa.
Hoffman said he is submitting a report on the incident to state fire safety officials.
https://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/2011/11/frenchtown_restaurant_evacuate.html
Carbon Monoxide: Last Year’s Surprise Killer Still Claims Lives
MENU