“State officials already planned to demolish the building when the leak occurred. Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Director Judy Bradshaw told the Register that the building did not have a carbon monoxide detector, even though the Legislature had passed a law the previous summer requiring state buildings to have them. Bradshaw said at the time that she was not aware of the law.”
Buffalo, NY – “Investigators believe the cause of the higher than normal carbon monoxide levels was due to an issue with an ice resurfacing machine.”
“The Federal Aviation Administration had recommended, but did not require, single-engine airplanes to install carbon monoxide detectors.”
https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/ford-explorer-co-leak-settlement-183527/?fbclid=IwAR0yWdw_07bUbQEtXzMsZpz1AXvEpzzbt3AfxY6B5laR0B4qLxUvNMwm6AA
https://fox8.com/news/4-people-hospitalized-following-carbon-monoxide-leak-at-cuyahoga-falls-hotel/?fbclid=IwAR3zcbwTxByWYNRwusXPDX9ZjV4Ks-Y_Dd_Ube3_JQty-Y7-zoe4_7kSNEs
“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.”
https://www.pahomepage.com/news/officials-consider-next-steps-as-mine-fire-burns-hundreds-of-feet-underground/?fbclid=IwAR22XeL6ZwG2sfbk5DMReVAHrc7HdzpqtGJ0FDBDQo_i5Y4qcP1b9pDCx5k
“In a landmark ruling in December 2020, coroner Philip Barlow ruled that Ella was the first person in the UK – and likely the world – to have air pollution listed as a cause of death… Ella grew up near one of London’s busiest roads, where air quality frequently fell below UK standards and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines…”
Coroner calls for air pollution law change following death of Ella Kissi-Debrah
“Nine workers were taken to three different hospitals because the hyperbaric facilities needed for treatment have limited capacity.”
Great story.
Wilkes-Barre, PA – “Nearly seven years after the mysterious death of Laurie Merritt, the unsolved case is getting a fresh review. Merritt, a 51-year-old U.S. Postal Service employee, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a fire at her home in Wilkes-Barre on April 14, 2014.”
Jackson Hole, WY – “Workplace fatality stresses need for carbon monoxide detectors in homes, businesses.”
Houston, TX – “In January 2019, a worker at a Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Waller alerted their employer that exposure to carbon monoxide made them ill and asked the employer to call an ambulance. In addition to refusing the worker’s request, the employer allegedly threatened to terminate the employee. After going to the hospital, the worker was terminated.”
Fayetteville, NC – “The detection of carbon monoxide Thursday morning, prompting the evacuation of cafeteria staff at Brentwood Elementary School…”
Following this story to see if more detail is released about the source of the CO and the alarm situation. Concerning that there might have been an issue with being able to hear the alarms.
Lucky guy. 3-part news story that gives a whole new appreciation for the risks associated with buying as-is cars.
“When you book your first post-COVID-19 vacation rental, do you know if the hotel you book or home you rent requires CO alarms? The Fire Protection Research Foundation conducted a literature review to summarize existing requirements for installation of CO detection devices and consolidated the available and pertinent non-fire CO incident data.”
“A new Fire Protection Research Foundation report highlights the nation’s enduring CO problem”
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nfpa/journal_2021spring/index.php?startid=20#/p/20
“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.”
Carbon monoxide detector issue in River Terrace unaddressed for days
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 woman who was living at a homeless encampment set up in a private resident’s yard died Sunday morning from what the camp organizer believes was carbon monoxide poisoning she got after trying to keep her tent warm.”
“After the first incident, officials could find no elevated levels of CO in the apartment. The new boiler checked out fine. After the second incident…Norwich Public Utilities, the city Building Department and the Yantic Fire Engine Co. No. 1 combed the apartment, turning on each appliance and checking…They discovered the gas stove had a hidden flaw — a clogged gas nozzle — that caused incomplete combustion as the oven was operating.”
“In addition to installing CO detectors, every hotel should establish preventative maintenance schedules to properly maintain and inspect CO emitting equipment and their ventilation systems. They should also provide the necessary training education to their staff and especially their maintenance staff. Hotels should have knowledgeable engineers on staff and contract out maintenance of HVAC systems. Hotel franchisors need to fully understand the risk of CO poisoning and take a proactive stance to protect the guests who are sleeping in their hotels.”
“Valid evidence exists from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that CO poisoning is a risk to flight crew and passengers of piston powered aircraft. First there are numerous accident reports, both fatal and non-fatal…”
https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Carbon_Monoxide_Poisoning#Sources_of_Carbon_Monoxide_in_Aviation
Australia – “The crash investigator recommended that the Australian safety regulator mandate carbon monoxide detectors in all piston-engine planes that alert pilots through an alarm or flashing lights. The investigator noted that no other country has mandated such devices.”
Other media sources report cause of CO leak was a gas stove left on for over 24 hours.
Tennis Star Vitas Gerulaitis Tragically Died in a Bizarre Incident of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Residents Evacuate La Jolla Assisted Living Center Due to Carbon Monoxide Leak
https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/alarm-alerts-wyoming-family-to-carbon-monoxide/?fbclid=IwAR2FaRzizI9YhYnAExzb9nOhEGA4DKilYyBjP-bS9MLRUxqn56qINxEIGYo
WAKEFIELD, Neb. — “Five people were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide incident at a bowling alley on Main Street in Wakefield Friday night. Shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday, Wakefield Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the establishment at 311 Main St., “for a suspected gas leak with people down,” according to a press release from the Dixon County Sheriff’s Office.”
“Texas Gas Service said the carbon monoxide monitors in the area also went off”!! 
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/gas-leak-at-east-austin-elementary-school-friday-aisd-tells-students-to-stay-home/?fbclid=IwAR1mll2QMAEUqbO6kc4fxMBn1yEXknuKglv_RsyNBtqoYwnl9pDRPuCIK9Q
“Eight adults and 14 children were hospitalized on Thursday after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning at a Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) swimming pool in Tainan, southern Taiwan.”
North Carolina – “At about 7:30 p.m., Kannapolis Fire responded to a call to the facility, and upon arrival, found one person who had passed out due to exposure to carbon monoxide…”
This family’s experience is an important reminder to make sure to have BOTH smoke and CO alarms 
in your home 
These alarms look similar…double check if you’re not sure. And while you’re up there, test/change the batteries and check the manufacture date on the alarm 
CO alarms should be replaced after 7 years, and smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years.
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
https://www.news8000.com/a-west-salem-familys-close-call-and-their-important-message-for-others/?fbclid=IwAR1gCB4XRdUSRjLsK_gh_psaseyvyI4Q35kxdnxxE6GIF6A2rhqtuDlcFco
“Even one preventable death in our public housing facilities is too many, and this important provision will help put an end to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning for families across the nation”
Married Central City firefighters die from carbon monoxide poisoning
Dix Hills, NY – Generator in use by roofing company.
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/12/11/dix-hills-carbon-monoxide/?fbclid=IwAR0tqhO8KqzPtutW6JwT-RiIsxWRAJLTBbDMTqCj1xeM_G3iP28KFdVqffk
“On a Tuesday night Laura Nava went to bed with a slight headache. That headache woke her up at 5 am. Her husband was also experiencing the same symptoms. Not realizing their home was filling with deadly carbon monoxide gas, they took some over the counter pain medication and went back to sleep…”
“The caveat about propane and butane is that when they burn, both release carbon monoxide, which can be deadly…camping with a carbon monoxide alarm is a wise precautionary measure when using any gas-burning tent heater.”
Sad story out of Minnesota, and concerning to hear there were CO alarms in the home that apparently did not go off. Not sure what the situation was here (sounds like it’s still being investigated), but a reminder to check the manufacture date on your alarms. CO alarms have a lifespan of 7-10 years, after which the sensor no longer works (even though the test button still does). If you have an alarm with a manufacture date of 2013 or earlier, consider purchasing a new one. Many of the newer alarms have a 10-year sealed battery, a great choice if you don’t want the hassle of changing out batteries regularly.
Webster, NY – “While helping that person, one of the first responders saw two cats unresponsive and thought to check the carbon monoxide detectors, finding both were not functional….(they are) now installing carbon monoxide detectors for all of the ambulances.”
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/public-safety/2020/12/03/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-in-webster-prompts-changes-for-local-ambulance-services?cid=share_fb
“Three men who installed a heating system in the home of a Lyman couple who died last year of carbon monoxide poisoning have been indicted on charges of negligent homicide. John “Jack” Joseph Courtney Jr., 71, his wife, April (Jacques) Courtney, 63, and several pets succumbed to carbon-monoxide poisoning…”
❤️
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School – Baltimore, MD
Brooklyn, NY –
Two people were killed after being poisoned by carbon monoxide in an apartment building in Brooklyn Monday evening, fire officials said.
The two victims, identified by police sources as adult men, were sickened by the gas in a basement apartment on Avenue O near West 4th Street in Bensonhurst at about 7:40 p.m., authorities said.
Firefighters responded to the apartment and declared the two victims dead at the scene, fire officials said.
Four other people were treated at the scene, but did not require hospitalization, the FDNY said.
A man who lives on the second floor of the building said Monday night that he was dizzy and had a headache this weekend.
“We were getting headaches from Saturday night to overnight to Sunday,” the tenant, 27-year-old Carlos Hernandez, said. “From the morning when we woke up there was just dizziness and headaches.”
Hernandez said he felt so unwell that he went to a hospital to get a coronavirus test, which came back negative.
“Thankfully we had the window open at that point,” he said.
The cause of the leak is under investigation, but a police source said it did not appear suspicious. The buildings department was also investigating the cause, a spokesperson said.
https://nypost.com/2020/11/02/carbon-monoxide-gas-kills-two-people-in-brooklyn-apartment/
La Quinta Inn & Suites – “…Fire Department says they got a call that a person was ill in the pool area…leak was traced to the swimming pool heater.”
Update on CO poisoning incident on boat in Sylvan Beach, NY…sad end to this story.
“For general aviation pilots, carbon monoxide exposure poses a particularly concerning threat because impairing levels can build quickly in an enclosed cabin, and even nonfatal levels can lead to tragic consequences in flight.”
General Aviation’s Silent Killer in the Sky | NTSB Safety Compass (wordpress.com)
If you own or spend time on a boat, please read this story.
“The estate of a Delaware County family who died of carbon-monoxide poisoning last year is suing the manufacturer and dealer of a tankless water heater linked to their deaths. Richard Gabriel Reitter III, 50; his wife, Jennifer, 49; and their children, Richard Gabriel IV, 15, and Grace, 13, were found dead in their Genoa Township home May 2, 2019.”
“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.
Milton, GA – “…a car accidentally left running in high school teacher Patricia Mann’s garage sent the dangerous, odorless gas into her townhome and those around her…”
“The daughter told firefighters she thinks her mom accidentally hit the key fob on her new car in the garage and carbon monoxide built up or she accidentally left it running when she got home around 6:30 p.m. in the evening.“
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.”
North Fulton County, Georgia –
Cedar Rapids, Iowa –
https://kwwl.com/2020/08/14/three-girls-hospitalized-for-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-linked-to-generator/?fbclid=IwAR3fygx9EbfEcPkBzP2UIATFBfZXCDuoiZbrznsgPly0l54dElimGJe3b7o#.X0ACJWJSGhl.facebook
Madison, WI –
https://www.nelsonstar.com/marketplace/why-your-travel-essentials-should-include-packing-a-carbon-monoxide-detector/?fbclid=IwAR0NUvD96G_k4M6I0ZfQ7rJYYyG4swjUk16Gq6EhvxJuupuyA8Qu73JHnvU
“…authorities in South Haven, Michigan, received a distress call from the captain who was unable to operate the boat, which was traveling in Michigan from St. Joseph to South Haven…”
https://youtu.be/3ckhP3V8DAA
“New technology has led to quieter engines and keyless ignitions in cars. But at what cost?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a rule in 2011 to address carbon monoxide concerns stemming from keyless cars running unintentionally.
It went nowhere.
Instead, a page on NHTSA’s website warns about leaving keyless cars running without the fob inside.
A bill filed last year in Congress – the PARK IT Act – would require regulators to finalize rules for automatic shut-off systems, but the bill never made it out of committee.”
“…the car, a Ford Mustang, was running with the air conditioner on, and the garage door was closed when the bodies were discovered.”
“He managed to get me to the kitchen, which was only like 10 feet away from the bed, he put me on a chair and I remember seeing him on the floor … nothing seemed real.”
DYK carbon monoxide can kill you out in open water? 
We’ve added a new page to our website with data, links and resources related to carbon monoxide poisoning in U.S. hotels. It’s the travel season – be aware of CO and pack an alarm when you go.
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