Carbon Monoxide A Poisonous Gas

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 234, 3 October 1936, Page 3

Carbon Monoxide A Poisonous Gas

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The Department of Health wishes to draw attention to measures that should be taken to prevent poisoning by the

extremely dangerous gas known as car bon monoxide.

Since carbon monoxide, as compared with other poisonous gases, is colourless, tasteless, and practically odourless, its presence is nut detected, and if the amount present in the air is small its victim generally has no warning that lie is exposed to a dangerous poison until it has affected him to so great an extent that he is unable to act.

The attack of this gas is always insidious, giving no warning of its presence, but stealthily rendering its victim unconscious. The gas unites with the colouring matter of the blood and prevents it from giving up its oxygen to tho tissues. As a small amount of carbon monoxide in the air will produce fatal results tho necessity for exercising care in the use of illuminating gas is evident, for it is one of the chief dangerous gases which go to the composition of coal gas.

Another source of carbon monoxide is' from the exhaust of motor cars. If, therefore, a motor car is run in an illventilated or closed garage there may be an undue aud dangerous accumulation of tho gas with serious results to tho individual present. Persons should not sleep on the floor of a closed car as there is danger from tho fumes of the exhaust, which may leak through tho floor. In this respect systems of heating cars by apparatus through which the exhaust gases circulate need very careful installation aud supervision as when defective they arc dangerous. Gas Burning Appliances.

It is important that gas pipes and street mains should be tight so that none of the gas can leak into rooms and produce poisons. Gas jets should not bo left burning where a gust of air may blow them out and let the gas escape into the room. Every gas water heater and every gas stove should be connected to a chimney flue or other vent, to the outside air in order that unburnt gas may not collect in the room. Gas fittings should be of the best and kept in good order.

It should be understood that modern gas appliances, such as' ranges with closed tops, accomplish much in preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, all gas appliances, including ranges, water heaters, and gas heating devices, will give satisfactory results, free from any hazard whatsoever, if they are properly installed and properly operated. The use of gas appliances in our modern civilisation is as essential as is the use of automobiles; and automobiles, because of careless operating, cause more accidental deaths than does carbon monoxide. The precautions, as outlined here, are issued in an effort to .stimulate the exercise of caution, lack of which is responsible for fatalities.

Exhaust from Motor Engines,

Warnings relative to the danger involved in remaining in a closed garage while an automobile motor is running are issued regularly and often by health officers and safety officials. .Nevertheless, deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, due to this cause, continue to occur in many countries. Most of such fatalities occur during the cold winter months when motors are started with greater difficulty and are permitted to idle in the garage while warming up. The average car in a closed garage of average size can, within a few minutes, give off a sufficient quantity of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases to kill a human being. Preventive Measures. Preventive measures must be adopted such as adequate ventilation, especially in private garages; wide opening of of doors and windows or use of installations allowing the exhaust gases from every car in a garage to be carried direct to the outside; car engines should not be allowed to run when the doors of the garage are closed; all repair work on motor cars necessitating a prone position should be avoided when the engine is running. When using a car see that adequate ventilation is provided as in the best appointed cars there may be a slight escape of carbon monoxide gas into the car. Treatment. The poisoning effects of this gas are due to its being easily absorbed by the blood, where it seriously reduces the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen. The lirst essentials of treatment are, therefore, the removal from the poisonous atmosphere into pure air, and the avoidance of any exertion which would increase the requirements of oxygen. A “gassed” person should not be exposed to the cold. Oxygen should be administered under medical supervision. If the breathing threatens to fail, artificial respiration should be employed as in the case of dfowninv.