Four people were found dead in a New Hampshire home on Christmas Day, including a teacher, due to suspected exposure to toxic carbon monoxide.
The tragedy came to light when the victims’ relatives became concerned about their absence from family functions. Two were older adults and two were younger, although the names and ages of three of the victims have not been made public.
The fourth person was Matt Goldstein, a teacher in the public school system in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Sean Toomey, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal called it “a terribly tragic event” that caps a “tough year” in terms of carbon monoxide deaths and deadly fires in the state.
He added: “I really hope I get through the holidays without another death. And unfortunately, I stand before you today with four more deaths that appear to be related to carbon monoxide.”
Carbon monoxide, an invisible killer lurking in American homes and businesses, will send more than 100,000 people to emergency rooms across the country this year.
Once concentrations of the flammable gas exceed roughly 70 parts per million, especially if a person has been exposed for only two hours, certain symptoms of physical harm will manifest, ranging from dizziness and confusion to permanent neurological damage and even death.
Exposure can cause a host of other problems, including visual disturbances and blurred vision to fatigue.
The first symptoms after just a few hours of low-level exposure are often similar to those of the flu, but continued exposure can lead to permanent memory loss and confusion, as well as mood swings.
Carbon monoxide is created when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen. This can happen through gas-powered household appliances, but also through fires and clogged flues
Carbon monoxide can be released by car exhaust or gas heaters, but CO poisoning can be prevented by staying on top of appliance maintenance and installing detectors in the home. Although the latter is very effective, a small number of Americans have installed life-saving carbon monoxide detectors.
If you suspect a CO leak, leave the area immediately, safely shut off the source of the leak if possible, call the fire department and see a doctor.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning often first manifest as flu-like symptoms, including headache, weakness, upset stomach and vomiting.
Early symptoms can also be confused with signs of food poisoning, as was the case with a young California couple who vacationed at a luxury resort in Mexico only to die in their hotel room from apparent CO poisoning that they initially thought was was caused by bad food. .
Dr. Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association, told DailyMail.com: ‘Because it is odorless and tasteless, it can be very insidious and people don’t often equate these types of symptoms with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure can also cause blurred vision and headaches, a dangerously fast heart rate, seizures, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and death.
“They might think they have a virus or it’s the flu, maybe they just need better ventilated air, whatever they do, but then don’t make the connection that it’s carbon monoxide.”
More serious neurological effects will become apparent after prolonged exposure – from days to months – to only low concentrations of the gas.
Continued exposure can lead to permanent memory loss and confusion. People have also experienced personality changes after exposure to CO.
Some people exposed to CO for extended periods of time will experience personality or mood changes, such as the onset of depression or anxiety. It can also lead to confusion and other cognitive problems
Six weeks after the poisoning, more than 40 percent of patients experienced higher rates of depression, anxiety and cognitive impairment.
Some people exposed to concentrations of about 150 to 200 parts per million may notice some movement and walking problems similar to those experienced by Parkinson’s patients.
A 2002 review published in the journal European Neurology reported that of 242 patients with CO poisoning studied between 1986 and 1996, almost 10 percent developed parkinsonism an average of four weeks after poisoning.
The most common symptoms were difficulty walking and maintaining a normal gait, impaired thinking, urinary incontinence, inability to speak, muscle stiffness.
How do you get CO poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is created when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen.
Inhaling exhaust fumes from cars or lawn mowers is a major cause. But people are also vulnerable to poisoning in the safety of their homes, especially if they live in smaller spaces.
Dr. Rizzo said, “Unfortunately, even poorly functioning home appliances, stoves, stoves and kerosene heaters, if not properly ventilated or operating properly, will produce more carbon monoxide than they should.
“If this is a poorly ventilated area, it will build up and reach levels that cause the symptoms.”
Gas-powered heaters and appliances such as dryers emit toxic CO. Faulty water heaters can also emit dangerous levels of CO if not maintained.
One study has shown that as much as 51 percent of the gas kitchen stoves examined increased the CO concentration in the room above the EPA standard of 9 ppm, while five percent had carbon monoxide levels above 200 ppm.
According to the CDC, more than 400 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning unrelated to fires.
The odorless gas can come from emergency electrical generators, furnaces and car exhaust.
How can it be avoided?
CO poisoning is completely preventable, but it is fatal approximately 420 Americans and sends more than 100,000 of them to emergency rooms every year.
Fire Marshal Toomey said having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a simple way to dramatically reduce your exposure risk.
An announcement from the nearby Wolfeboro Fire Department stated, “In the event of an alarm activation, residents should immediately exit their homes and call 9-1-1.”
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to carbon monoxide should immediately seek fresh air, experts say. Something as simple as opening the garage door before starting the car can be a life saver.
Exposure does especially dangerous for older adults with certain pre-existing health conditions, including chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems. Babies and unborn babies are also extremely vulnerable. CO poisoning significantly increases the risk of fetal death and developmental disorders.
Burning any fuel, from propane and charcoal to gasoline, releases toxic carbon dioxide
Homes should also be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors, small devices that resemble regular smoke detectors.
CO detectors can save lives, but only a scarcity of American homes has them. While nearly 98 percent of emergency department patients surveyed in the summer of 2011 said their homes were equipped with smoke detectors, only 44 percent said the same about CO detectors.
Low-income households whose residents earned less than $26,000 a year were the least likely to have a CO detector in or near their sleeping area, the ideal place to have it.
Additionally, minority groups, renters, and urban residents were also much less likely to have CO detectors in their homes for a variety of reasons, including cost barriers and a lack of awareness about the importance of installing a pair.
Dr. Rizzo said, “Things like carbon monoxide monitors and detectors should be readily available to everyone on every floor of the home. I know it’s a cost factor. These are relatively cheap, but not everyone can afford two or three carbon monoxide monitors in their home.
‘But that’s why it’s so important to be aware and think about using a monitor, especially if you use a lot of these gas-powered appliances at home and aren’t very well ventilated.