A new study suggests that snowstorms and power outages could significantly increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
A team of researchers from Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn. found that portable generators were the most common source of exposure to CO after storms that caused power losses, and that car exhaust was the most frequent source of exposure after large snowstorms, according to Medical Xpress.
The results are published in the May issue of The American Journal of Preventative Medicine.
CO is a poisonous gas and is often called the "silent killer" since it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and also because poisoning symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness, are often mistaken for other health conditions, Medical News Today reported. CO exposure can be caused by equipment and appliances that burn kerosene, oil, wood and natural gas. These appliances include gas ovens or grills, wood or gas stoves and lawn mowers.
U.S. Poison Control Centers received over 12,000 calls related to accidental CO exposure in 2011.
The team was led by Kelly Johnson-Arbor of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hartford Hospital. The researchers looked at data from a winter storm in 2011 that resulted in widespread loss of power and a huge snowstorm in 2013. A total of 172 patient cases were found after the power loss storm, and 34 cases were found after the snowstorm. The team discovered that most CO exposures happened in the first day of the snowstorm and on the second and third days of the power loss storm, Medical Xpress reported.
"These results indicate that the staffing patterns and call schedules of the medical providers involved in the treatment of carbon monoxide-poisoned patients may need to be adjusted accordingly based on the type of storm expected," Johnson-Arbor said.
The team also found that the most common sources of CO are gas-powered generators, charcoal grills and propane heaters and lanterns. Johnson-Arbor said people can prevent CO poisoning with good ventilation in homes, Medical News Today reported.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given tips to reduce the risk of CO exposure. These include have heating systems and appliances serviced each year by a qualified technician, not heating a home with a gas oven, not using a generator or heating system inside the house, and not burning anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented.
