DANGER FROM GAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 4

DANGER FROM GAS

CARBON MONOXIDE FROM MOTOR EXHAUST HEALTH NOTES FOR PUBLIC (Contributed by the Department of Health.) There are many occasions on which an escape of gas may accidentally occur in a house. One of the chief dangerous gases which go to the composition of coal gas is carbon monoxide. This carbon monoxide, which is extremely poisonous, has the peculiar faculty of being able to combine with the red colouring of the bloods cells (Hemoglobin). This prevents ths blood carrying its usual supply of oxygen to the tissue and so rapidly leads to serious symptoms and may end ia death. Another source of cariion monoxide is the "exhaust” of motor-cars, and if a motor-car is run in an illventilated or closed garage there may be a dangerous accumulation of the gas with serious results o anybody present.

Since carbon monoxide, as compared with other poisonous gases-, is colourless, tasteless and practically odourless, its presence is not detected, and if the amount present in the air .ia small it victim generally las no wart ing that he is exposed to ; 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 ita victim unconscious. It is important that every gas waterheater and. every gas stove be connected to a chimney Hue or other vent to the outside air in order that unburned gas may not collect in the room to poison its occupants. Rubber hose and rubber connectors to gas heaters frequently rot during the summer months, permitting the escape of gas through the rotted material when such equipment is brought Into use upon the first chilly day. Rubber hose and connectors are also in common use on gas plates. If rubber equipment fc not replaced at frequent intervals there is great danger In Its use. It is preferable to replace such hazardous material with metal pipes. Loose keys may also be responsible for asphyxiation from this cause. GAS-BURNING APPLIANCES Sometimes valves and by-passes ars located at or near the floor line, where they' may be accidentally kicked open with the foot or turned open by moving furniture, permitting gas to enter the room. Large containers like washboilers or kettles may smother the flames underneath them it tie fames are turned too high. Shallow cooking utensils may easily boil over, spilling their contents and extinguishing the blaze unknown to the occupants of the room. Gas flames turned low are frequently extinguished by a gust wind, and burners turned bse tw® may force unhurried gas into tEe room. Gas burners that are not properly adjusted may also permit the escape of carbon monoxide. It should be understood that modern gas appliances, such as ranges with closed tops, accomplish much in preventing carbon monoxide poisoningfurthermore, all gas appliances, including ranges, water heaters and gas heating devices, will give sa: sfactory results, free from any liazad whiitsoever, if they are properly installed and properly- operated. The use of gas appliances in our modern civilisation is as essential as is the use oau to mobiles and automobiles, be-iause of careless operating, cause more accidental deaths than does carbon monoxide. The precautions, as ou lined here, are issued in an effort to itimn* late the exercise of caution, lark owhieh is responsible for fatalities. Warnings relative to the danger involved in remaining in a closed gutage while an automobile motor is running are issued regularly and cdeß by- health officers and safety oflici*“Nevertheless, deaths from carbor monoxide poisoning, due to this cans* continue to occur in many countries Most of such fatalities occur during the cold winter months, when motors are started with greater difficulty* ll are permitted to idle in the g ar *?l while warming up. The average a close! garage of average size **" within a few minutes, give off a s' l ® cient quantity of carbon the exhaust gases to kill * snaH* being.