Carbon monoxide gas is so odorless that it is invisible that it is fatal. It can kill people in their homes when they sleep and penetrates undetectable from the generator. It can accumulate on closed garage walls and float from cars running by residents seeking warmth and strength amidst the storm.
Another fatality was confirmed on Thursday due to unintended carbon monoxide poisoning. Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of longtime Yankees Brett Gardner, died of carbon monoxide poisoning while on vacation with his family in Costa Rica. Authorities said contamination from machines near resort rooms could be held liable.
Although preventable, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning-related deaths in the United States.
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
When you breathe carbon monoxide, gas accumulates in the blood and binds to hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that causes oxygen to be transported from the lungs to the rest of the body's tissues.
When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, it can “drift away oxygen” proteins, preventing tissues and organs from ingesting oxygen that needs to function properly, said Dr. Jason Rose, chief of the School of Lung Emergency and Sleep and Sleep Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can also lead to inflammation and cell damage to important organs: the heart and brain, says Dr. Anthony Pizon, director of medical toxicology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, will treat several patients with carbon monoxide poisoning each month.
People who are exposed to high concentrations of gas for a long time can lose consciousness, stop breathing, and lead to death, Dr. Rose said. Inhaling toxic gases can lower blood pressure and cause fatal heart problems, he added. Also, those who endure carbon monoxide poisoning can experience long-term neurological problems, including poor memory, motor skills issues, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, Dr. Rose said.
Headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting – can appear similar to the flu and other illnesses, so people may not realize they are exposed to carbon monoxide any time soon, Dr. Rose said. Because the gas is colorless and odorless, it may be difficult to know if there is exposure, Dr. Pizon said.
And while gas is considered very toxic to everyone, Dr. Rose said that children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with existing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, are particularly vulnerable to getting sick after exposure. Patients with respiratory problems or anemia also occur when they have already reduced levels of red blood cells or hemoglobin.
How do you stay safe at home?
If you think you are exposed to carbon monoxide, you can call 9-1-1 for fresh air immediately, Dr. Pizon said. The fire department will come to your home and help you determine where the gas is coming from. Also, if you are experiencing symptoms, seek immediate treatment at your nearest emergency room.
“This isn't something you go to your primary doctor,” Dr. Rose said.
In emergency rooms, health care providers provide pure oxygen via ventilators or face masks.
Appliances that use natural gas to burn fuel in your home, such as stoves, furnaces, clothing dryers, and gas-powered generators, can potentially leak carbon monoxide and cause poisoning if not properly ventilated, Dr. Pizon said. Make sure all fuel combustion equipment is vented outward to prevent carbon monoxide from building up inside, he added. Also, if you are unsure whether your appliance is safely ventilated, call a technician to inspect it.
Many car engines emit carbon monoxide as well, so don't drive your car, especially in an enclosed garage connected to your home.
Finally, make sure to install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home that you can purchase from your home improvement store, Dr. Pizon said. I change the battery at least once a year. You can also purchase portable carbon monoxide detectors for use at hotels and accommodations while on the move.
Most addictions are reported in the winter.
More than 400 Americans die from unintended carbon monoxide poisoning that is not related to fire each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Intoxication is most frequently reported during the winter, with power disappearing, and with intense storms where people head for warmth towards generators, ovens and cars.
In 2021, when the frozen weather system swept parts of the United States, at least two people died, 100 people became ill due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and four more in Oregon, authorities said.
In 2022, three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a broken water heater in a Mexico City Airbnb rental unit.
In December, 12 people died on suspicion of carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort in the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. They were found in an area above the restaurant where they were employed. Police say the generators were connected and left inside after the restaurant lost power.
