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| School Nurse Identifies Family's Chronic CO Poisoning
All the members of a family of four living in a Baltimore area townhouse were suffering from the symptoms of chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. These symptoms included: cold and allergy symptoms, headaches, dizziness, sinus pain and fatigue. The symptoms manifested slightly differently in each family member. The eight-year-old daughter was suffering recurrent headaches, dizziness and subsequent falls in school and became a frequent visitor to the nurse's office. The nurse became concerned, and after learning of the symptoms experienced by the rest of the family, instructed them to have the CO levels in their home checked. A Baltimore Gas & Electric technician verified that the levels in the home were very elevated. |
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon materials; any flame or combustion device is likely to emit carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide may be present in auto shops, home economics or other kitchen rooms, or in rooms that take in air from areas where buses or other vehicles idle. Carbon monoxide can get trapped inside an area when: appliances do not work properly; a stove or furnace is not working properly due to a clogged chimney or vent; a car or bus is left running in an enclosed space or near an air intake area; or a charcoal grill is used in a closed area (CPSC, 1993).
Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which is incapable of carrying oxygen, resulting in tissue anoxia. The health threat from exposure to CO is especially serious for those with cardiovascular disease. Healthy individuals may also be affected, but at higher levels of exposure. Early symptoms of exposure include flu-like symptoms (headache, fatigue, nausea). Principle manifestations of acute carbon monoxide poisoning are shortness of breath and a bright red color of mucus membranes (CPSC, 1993).
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