Tuesday 23 October 2007

Historical aspects

One of my particular interests is in the history of carbon monoxide poisoning. I have quite a collection of old (some very old) medical research - a lot of it still very relevant to today.
I am planning to make a lot of this accessible through this site. To start with, clicking on this link will allow you to download a copy of a publication from 1970, in the Postgraduate Medical Journal. Medics from Newcastle describe their experiences of carbon monoxide over a three-year period. This was during a period when coal gas was piped into people's homes. The figures they cite are pretty amazing!

Tuesday 16 October 2007

Thinking of getting a CO alarm?

Well, that means you haven't already got one, which is NOT good, but at least you're going to get one.
Get one today.
Get one that sounds an audible alarm, and that has the British Standard ('Kitemark') EN50291.
Better still, get one that has a digital display/readout, and also records peak levels.
One per household is an absolute minimum - one per flame-producing appliance (so one for every fire, boiler, cooker etc. in the house) is the ideal.
Consult the instructions that come with your alarm for the best place to fit it.

CO-Awareness Week 2007

As medical advisor to CO-Awareness, I am very pleased to be associated with the launch of the CO-Awareness week.
The week began with a seminar at the House of Lords on Monday October 15th. The meeting was chaired by Barry Sheerman MP, along with Lord McKenzie from the Department for Work and Pensions.
On Friday October 19th the CO-Awareness roadshow hits Dewsbury in West Yorkshire. From 10am we will be at Dewsbury Town Hall with information and discussion around carbon monoxide.
Details on the venue can be found by clicking here.
According to the recent CORGI Report, people in the Yorkshire region are at greatest risk from accidental CO exposure in the home.

Tuesday 2 October 2007

Independent article

There is an interesting insight into the aftermath of carbon monoxide poisoning written by Richard Gill in the Independent of September 25th.
The piece also highlights that charcoal burning is a potent source of CO.