Chemicals & Poisons

Carbon Monoxide

Introduction

Accidental exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, kills on average 50 people every year in England and Wales and is responsible for 200 cases of recorded non-fatal injury. Many more people are likely to be exposed and suffer from CO poisoning but be unaware of the cause. As a result, the impact on health may well be underestimated.

gas fire 
©Flickr(Ben Sheperd)

CO is produced when fossil fuels such as gas, coal, coke and oil and other fuels such as wood and charcoal burn without enough air. Incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated cooking and heating devices are the main sources. Exposure to high indoor levels can be fatal, while exposure to lower levels can result in symptoms that resemble flu, viral infections or food poisoning. Headache, tiredness, difficulty in thinking clearly and feeling sick are the most common symptoms. Drowsiness, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pains may also be experienced. Prolonged exposure to low levels of CO over a long period of time can cause serious harm to health, often leading to lasting neurological damage in victims.

It is important to have all cooking and heating appliances which use fossil fuels (and wood) installed and serviced regularly by a suitably qualified, reputable and registered engineer. Rooms in which these appliances are used must be adequately ventilated. Chimneys and flues should be kept clear and swept from top to bottom at least once a year by a qualified sweep. 

Hot embers
©iStockphoto

Further information can be found in the Compendium of Chemical Hazards and Chemical Incident Management  sections of the HPA website.

 

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

The signs, symptoms, sources and general nature of both acute and chronic CO poisoning are poorly understood by the general public and health professionals. The Health Protection Agency takes this lack of awareness very seriously and is working hard, in consultation with other stakeholders, to tackle the issue (see below). Many misconceptions also persist that are potentially damaging the management of patients. For example, gas is not the only source of CO and 'cherry red' skin is not a common sign of CO poisoning.

Accidental deaths and low level CO poisoning can be prevented by increasing awareness amongst the public and health professionals of the symptoms of CO exposure.

It is hoped that these initiatives will result in action being taken to prevent poisoning, to ensure cases of CO poisoning are recognised as early as possible and to coordinate appropriate treatments and services for those that have been poisoned.

Read a press release on Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week here.

 

What's New?

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer

As part of National CO Awareness Week (17th-23rd November 2008), a Letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer has been sent to GPs, emergency physicians and nurses, to address the lack of awareness of the risks of CO poisoning among health professionals and the public. To read the letter click on the following link -

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Professionalletters/Chiefmedicalofficerletters/DH_090128 

 

NHS patient information leaflet on CO

Attached to the letter from the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer is a NHS information leaflet for the public, warning of the dangers of CO, explaining the symptoms of CO poisoning, what to do in the event of a suspected case of CO poisoning and how to reduce the chances of CO poisoning in the home. The leaflet, entitled "Carbon monoxide - Are you at risk?", can be found on the Department of Health website.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_090124

 

The All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group report on CO awareness

One of the major problems with CO poisoning is that the symptoms of are very similar to those of flu, meaning that members of the public are often unaware that they are being poisoned and medical professionals find it difficult to reach the correct diagnosis. Accordingly, The All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group (APPGSG) undertook an inquiry into awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning amongst medical professionals and barriers to diagnosis and is soon to publish a report on its findings.

The inquiry looked at how to raise awareness of the symptoms of carbon monoxide amongst medical professionals, and how to ensure that they have the equipment necessary to make the correct diagnosis.The report will focus on the following key questions:

The report, when published, can be found here www.gassafetygroup.org.uk

 

CO surveillance and CO incident toolkit for Health Protection Units

Details of work on CO surveillance ("Carbon monoxide: elements of environmental public health surveillance") and a pilot project to develop a decision support toolkit for Health Protection Units (HPUs) in the management of CO incidents ("Developing best practice response to carbon monoxide incidents: a toolkit for health protection frontline staff") can be found in issue 13 of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report (September 2008).

 

Carbon monoxide action card

An action card on CO incidents, has been developed by South West London HPU, outlining the steps to take in the management of a CO incident, and the roles and responsibilities of the agencies involved. Plans are now in place to pilot the action card nationally, through the HPA's Chemical Hazards and Poisons Division - Local and Regional Services (CHaPD-LaRS) chemical network group. An article on the action card entitled "Development of a carbon monoxide 'action card' for public health practitioners" can be found in issue 10 of the Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report (September 2007). 

 

Press Releases from the HPA Air Pollution Unit

 

Further Information


Last reviewed: 18 December 2008