carbon monoxide nwfd
TRANSCRIPT
NWFD
Carbon MonoxideThe “Invisible Killer”
NWFD
Objectives Define carbon monoxide Describe possible sources Identify carbon monoxide poisoning
signs and symptoms Understand who is at risk for poisoning Describe key prevention tips and
available resources Review FD’s role, forms, SOG and CO
detecting equipment.
NWFD
Source: Center for Disease ControlSource: Center for Disease Control
What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
CO is a by-product of incomplete CO is a by-product of incomplete combustion of natural gas, propane, combustion of natural gas, propane, gasoline, coal, oil, kerosene, and gasoline, coal, oil, kerosene, and wood.wood.
CO is colorless, tasteless, odorless CO is colorless, tasteless, odorless
NWFD
Source: Vermont Department of Source: Vermont Department of HealthHealth
Carbon Monoxide (CO) vs.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Dioxide
A byproduct of burning fuels
Gas exhaled with normal breathing
A poison even at low doses
An asphyxiant and poisonous at high doses
NWFD
Source: Center for Disease Control Source: Center for Disease Control and www.emedicinehealth.comand www.emedicinehealth.com
Who is at Risk?
EVERYONE, especially:
– People using alternate heat sources during power outages
– Elderly
– Unborn babies, infants,
– Individuals with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems
NWFD
Source: Source: www.emedicinehealth.comwww.emedicinehealth.com
Who is at risk? Cont…..
– Personnel at fire scenes (fire-fighters/rescue workers)
– Individuals working with combustion engines or combustible gases indoors
– Industrial workers at pulp mills, steel foundries and plants producing formaldehyde and coke
– Pets
NWFD
Source: Olson: Poisoning and Source: Olson: Poisoning and Drug Overdose Drug Overdose
Is CO Poisoning Common? One of the leading causes of
unintentional/accidental poisoning deaths in the United States
Poisonings occur more often in the fall and winter months
Accounts for approximately 50,000 emergency department visits each year in the U.S.
For information on the CDC study “Unintentional non-fire related CO Exposures in the U.S. in 2001-2003 visit http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs050120.htm
NWFD
Source: NNEPC, Vermont Source: NNEPC, Vermont Department of Health, the Department of Health, the
Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency and Olson: Poisoning and Drug and Olson: Poisoning and Drug
OverdoseOverdose
Sources Burning fuels such as: wood, oil, natural gas,
gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal and diesel Electrical appliances do not produce CO
Common sources of human exposure include:
– Smoke inhalation from fires
– Automobile exhaust
– Faulty or poorly vented charcoal, kerosene or gas stoves
– To a lesser extent, cigarette smoke and methylene chloride (industrial uses)
NWFD
Source: Environmental Protection Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Disease Control Agency, Center for Disease Control
and the Vermont Department of and the Vermont Department of HealthHealth
Cold Weather Hazards Insufficient ventilation
– Generators used inside during a power outage
– Gas or kerosene heater in room without proper ventilation
– Stoves or fireplaces that are improperly vented or blocked
– Exhaust flues or appliance ducts that are blocked or sealed shut
– Cars or trucks idling in a garage Opening the door is not sufficient
NWFD
Cold Weather Hazards cont….
Poor function or worn parts– Appliances and equipment
– Heating systems
Improper use– Using charcoal grills indoors
– Heating homes with gas ovens
NWFD
Source: Environmenal Protection Source: Environmenal Protection AgencyAgency
Warm Weather Hazards
Enclosed area (poor ventilation)– Gas, kerosene, charcoal, propane or
hibachi grills
– Gasoline-powered equipment (lawnmower, chainsaw, generator), used in a home, garage or under a tarp
– Gas-fueled lanterns and stoves burned inside a tent, trailer, boat cabin without proper ventilation
NWFD
Warm Weather Hazards cont…
Excessive inhalation of exhaust fumes– Teak surfing or pulling a skier from a
boat’s diving platform– Diving from or swimming near a
houseboat platform– Riding in the back of a pickup truck
with a camper shell
NWFD
How does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Work?
Enters the body through the lungs and is delivered to the blood
Red blood cells pick up CO instead of oxygen– Hemoglobin likes CO 250 times more than oxygen
CO prevents the oxygen that is present from being readily released to and used properly by tissues
NWFD
Source: Illinois & Vermont Department of Source: Illinois & Vermont Department of HealthHealth
Why Do We Need Oxygen?
Brain damageBrain damage– Can only live a few minutes without Can only live a few minutes without
oxygen.oxygen. Organ damageOrgan damage
– Vital organs such as brain and heart Vital organs such as brain and heart need oxygenneed oxygen
Possibly deathPossibly death
NWFD
Source: Vermont Department of Source: Vermont Department of Health, Consumer Product Safety Health, Consumer Product Safety
Commission, Environmental Commission, Environmental Protection AgencyProtection Agency
Toxic effects = Concentration X Exposure
May =
Long-term exposure to low levels of CO
Short-term exposure to high levels of CO
NWFD
What do the numbers mean?
Concentration of CO in air (Parts per millions)Concentration of CO in air (Parts per millions)
50ppm - 50ppm - Threshold limit value for no adverse effects even Threshold limit value for no adverse effects even with 6-8 hours exposurewith 6-8 hours exposure
200ppm – 200ppm – Possible mild headache after 2-3 hoursPossible mild headache after 2-3 hours
400ppm – 400ppm – Headache and nausea after 1-2 hoursHeadache and nausea after 1-2 hours
800ppm – 800ppm – Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and possible unconsciousness after 2 minutes; collapse and possible unconsciousness after 2 hourshours
Source – NFPA Carbon Monoxide – Risks At Home Fact Sheet
NWFD
Numbers Cont…. 1000ppm – 1000ppm – Loss of consciousness after 1 hoursLoss of consciousness after 1 hours
1600ppm – 1600ppm – Headache, nausea and dizziness after 20 Headache, nausea and dizziness after 20 minutesminutes
3200ppm – 3200ppm – Headache and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; Headache and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; unconsciousness after 30 minutesunconsciousness after 30 minutes
6400ppm – 6400ppm – Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutesunconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes
12,800ppm – 12,800ppm – Immediate physiological effects; Immediate physiological effects; unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutesunconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes
Source – NFPA Carbon Monoxide – Risks At Home Fact Sheet
NWFD
Source: Illinois & Vermont Source: Illinois & Vermont Department of Health, Environmental Department of Health, Environmental
Protection AgencyProtection Agency
Signs and Symptoms Flu-like symptoms (without fever or runny
nose) including:– Headache– Fatigue/sleepiness– Shortness of breath– Nausea– Dizziness– Confusion or disorientation
Young children, elderly and household pets are usually effected first
NWFD
Source: Center for Disease Control Source: Center for Disease Control , Environmental Protection Agency, , Environmental Protection Agency,
MedlineplusMedlineplus
Failure to Detect Danger
Often mistaken for the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses
Those sleeping or intoxicated can die before experiencing any symptoms
Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and death
Victims may become disoriented and unable to save themselves
NWFD
Source: EMedicineHealth and Source: EMedicineHealth and Olson: Poisoning and Drug Olson: Poisoning and Drug
OverdoseOverdose
Prognosis
Difficult to predict the long-term effects of CO poisoning/exposure. – Even with proper medical treatment a few
people can develop long-term brain damage. – Some individuals appear to have no long-term
affects. If pregnant, fetal complications or death
may result.
NWFD
Carbon Monoxide AlarmYour best protection!
Install a carbon monoxide alarm close to sleeping areas. For more protection:
– Install one with 15’ of each bedroom
– Install one on every level of your home Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm, IT
COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
NWFD
Source: Illinois Department of Source: Illinois Department of Public Safety/Division of Fire Public Safety/Division of Fire
Safety, OSFMSafety, OSFM
Illinois LawCO Alarm Requirement
Effective January 1, 2007, every Illinois home is Effective January 1, 2007, every Illinois home is required to have at least one carbon monoxide required to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm in an operating condition within 15 feet of alarm in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. Homes every room used for sleeping purposes. Homes that do not rely on the burning of fuel for heat, that do not rely on the burning of fuel for heat, ventilation or hot water; are not connected to a ventilation or hot water; are not connected to a garage; and are not near a source of carbon garage; and are not near a source of carbon monoxide (as determined by the local building monoxide (as determined by the local building commissioner) are not required to install carbon commissioner) are not required to install carbon monoxide detectors. (monoxide detectors. (Public Act 94-741) )
OFSM version of the law - OFSM version of the law - http://www.state.il.us/osfm/documents/OSFM_Interpretation_CO_Act_10_23_06.pdf
NWFD
Source: Center for Disease Control Source: Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection
AgencyAgency
Prevention Tips: Don’t…
Never run a portable generator, gasoline-powered engines (such as mowers, snow-blowers, chainsaws) or burn charcoal in:
Never leave a car, mower or other vehicle running in a garage, even with the door open
Do not heat home with gas oven.
- Crawlspaces- Indoors- Garages- Basements
- Closed in porch- Vehicle- Tent- Under windows
NWFD
Source: Consumer Product Safety Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Underwriters Commission, Underwriters
Laboratories Inc.Laboratories Inc.
Visual Warning Signs
Streaks of carbon or soot around door of your fuel-burning appliance.
No draft in the chimney. A large amount of rusting on flue pipes
or appliance jackets or vent pipes. Moisture on windows/walls of furnace
doors.
NWFD
Source: Underwriters Laboratories Source: Underwriters Laboratories Inc.Inc.
Visual Warning Signs Cont….
Discolored or damage bricks at top of chimney.
Soot falling from fire place. Flu-like symptoms that go away when
you leave home and come back when you re-enter.
NWFD
Fire Department’s Role
Use special detectors that monitor parts per million (PPM) of the atmosphere at any given location. – Find source of CO– Can detect small amounts of CO
If CO is detected:– The source will be investigated and identified– Next steps will be recommend– The area will be ventilated until CO levels are
safe
NWFD
Fire Department’s Role Cont…
Remove Occupants Clearing the buildingClearing the building
– Positive pressure Positive pressure ventilation will clear the ventilation will clear the building quickly, however, building quickly, however, the gas fired engine on the gas fired engine on the fan will be introducing the fan will be introducing CO into the building.CO into the building.
– Use electric fans, or Use electric fans, or household exhaust fans household exhaust fans whenever possible.whenever possible.
– Open windows & use Open windows & use natural ventilation.natural ventilation.
NWFD
NWFD Procedures
SOG # 61 – Carbon Monoxide ResponseSOG # 61 – Carbon Monoxide Response Non-urgent unless reports of medical problemsNon-urgent unless reports of medical problems If dispatcher does not relay information, ASKIf dispatcher does not relay information, ASK Activate detector and wear appropriate PPE (including SCBA)Activate detector and wear appropriate PPE (including SCBA) Investigate all areas of the building in a systematic order. Use Investigate all areas of the building in a systematic order. Use
the Checklistthe Checklist Check vented appliances for an updraftCheck vented appliances for an updraft Any levels of CO shall result in FD shutting gas off to the Any levels of CO shall result in FD shutting gas off to the
residence, or applianceresidence, or appliance Go thru questions with each occupant of the building.Go thru questions with each occupant of the building. ANY YES ANSWER GETS PARAMEDIC RESPONSE.ANY YES ANSWER GETS PARAMEDIC RESPONSE. Leave final form indicating highest level of CO found in the Leave final form indicating highest level of CO found in the
building.building.
NWFD
Department Forms
NWFD
Testing Equipment
MSA ALTAIR 4MSA ALTAIR 4Capable of detecting multiple gasesCapable of detecting multiple gases
Oxygen Level, LEL, COOxygen Level, LEL, COMust be calibrated periodicallyMust be calibrated periodically
Fresh air set must be done away from running vehiclesFresh air set must be done away from running vehicles
NWFD
Questions ?
NWFD
Resources Environmental Protection Agency
Information Clearinghouse (EPA)– Information on indoor air quality– 1-800-438-4318 – www.epa.gov/iaq/iaqinfo.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)– Information on CO poisoning prevention,
purchasing a CO alarm & report products or product-related injuries
– 1-800-638-2772 (TTY 1-800-638-8270)– [email protected]
NWFD
Resources Cont… Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
– How to prevent poisoning from home appliances
– www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
National Institute for Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH)– Information about small engine hazards
– www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
National Institute of Health and Library or Medicine (NLM)– General Information– nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/print/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html
NWFD
Resources Cont…
Coast Guard (USCG) Office of Boating Safety – Information on safe boating
– www.uscgboating.org/command/co.htm
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)– Information on CO alarms
– www.ul.com/consumers/co.html