Provide carbon monoxide warnings

Over the years, I have represented clients in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning cases.

The cases I have been involved with were caused by a variety of issues:

• In one case, a PVC vent pipe loosened at a joint and allowed carbon monoxide to enter the living space.
• Another involved a boiler that had not been properly converted from natural gas to propane, which led to a compromised heat exchanger. This allowed excess carbon monoxide to escape into an adjoining living quarter.
• Another involved a torpedo heater used in a confined space that over time caused the levels of carbon monoxide to reach unsafe levels.

I am sure the reader has more examples, as do I.

Carbon monoxide poisoning

CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. Signs of CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, dizziness and disoriented thoughts. Long-term exposure can cause loss of balance, neurological issues, memory issues and, in severe cases, death.

The Fire Protection Research Foundation issued a report in February 2021 entitled: Carbon Monoxide Detection and Alarm Requirements: Literature Review. The report looks at the various state and federal requirements for CO detection alarms and discusses the statistics surrounding injuries and deaths related to CO poisonings. It indicates about 400 people die and another 50,000 are injured from CO poisonings each year. All of the cases reported were accidental poisonings.

These statistics have remained relatively consistent over the decade preceding the report. An increase in population over the years does point to some progress in reducing injuries and deaths from CO poisoning. Nonetheless, these are significant numbers.

Understanding where the primary risks arise and what may be done to reduce the risks is good information to share.

Reducing risks

The Fire Protection Research Foundation report finds a large majority of incidents occur with heaters, pool heaters, water heaters, boilers, furnaces and wall heaters. It also finds that about 66 percent of incidents occur in the colder months of November, December, January and February when we are more likely to be inside.

A 2019 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that the fastest growing area of CO poisoning involves engine-driven tools (EDTs), such as generators, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, tillers, power washers and snow blowers.

Since our industry provides fuel to all of the fuel-burning appliances, we often have opportunities to take steps to minimize the risks posed by CO poisoning.

Many members of our industry manufacture, sell and/or install gas appliances. Many of these appliances require conversion from natural gas to propane. Unfortunately, I have seen several cases where the appliances were never converted to propane and a leak occurred, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.

An important first step is to ensure that gas appliances or EDTs are properly calibrated and/or converted for propane. When EDTs are used, ensure adequate ventilation to avoid the buildup of CO to dangerous levels. Regular servicing of gas appliances and EDTs is a good way to ensure these appliances and tools are still in safe working specifications.

Much of the literature industry members use warns of the risks of CO poisoning and the symptoms that indicate potential CO poisoning. Consider providing these types of warnings to your customers if you do not already do so.

CO detectors for residential homes are available but are not required in many states. Not all states require CO detectors in hotels, assembly places or other public spaces. Industry warnings to our customers often recommend CO detectors. If you do not recommend CO detectors to your customers, consider doing so.

CO poisoning is a persistent problem that leads to hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries year after year. Being proactive in providing properly converted appliances and tools, keeping them in good working order, warning about the risks of CO and recommending CO detectors to our customers are all steps that we can take to do our part in reducing injuries and deaths from this silent killer.

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John V. McCoy is with McCoy, Leavitt, Laskey LLC. His firm represents industry members nationally. He can be reached at jmccoy@MLLlaw.com or at 262-522-7007.