Lynn Griffiths of CO Awareness organised a meeting at the House of Lords on March 7th. This was a very useful starting point for discussion around current issues.
Dr. Ben Croxford presented the results of his survey into CO in domestic environments. You can see those results by clicking here, or by downloading the pdf file directly from the 'Useful Documents' box at the very bottom of this page.
One lady at the meeting was poisoned for 18 months longer than she need have been, all because a doctor in A&E told her that oil-fired appliances could not be a source of CO !
The main thrust of the meeting was discussion of the dangers of chronic, low-level exposure to CO. The gas is a potent toxin, and appears to favour the central and peripherous nervous systems when the victim is exposed to low levels over a period of time. More research in this area is certainly warranted.
The government pamphlet Indoor Air Pollution - Carbon Monoxide ends with the line 'Ask your doctor for advice if you feel ill'. Would you know what advice to give?
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Inexpensive CO alarms
Monday, 11 December 2006
The Time Problem...
As mentioned elsewhere in this blog, COHb (carboxyhaemoglobin) is NOT a stable compound. It has a half-life of around four hours when you breathe 'clean air (i.e. 21% O2), which shortens the higher the concentration of oxygen you breathe.
So if someone is tested for COHb levels some hours after exposure, those levels will have FALLEN.
COHb testing is like any other clinical investigation- it must be used judiciously and interpreted in light of other clinical findings. As always, an accurate history is often more inportant than getting a high COHb reading. If someone has symptoms suggestive of exposure, and if those symptoms are worse when they are inside their house, those findings are much more important than getting them to score on a CO-oximeter or a breath meter.
So if someone is tested for COHb levels some hours after exposure, those levels will have FALLEN.
COHb testing is like any other clinical investigation- it must be used judiciously and interpreted in light of other clinical findings. As always, an accurate history is often more inportant than getting a high COHb reading. If someone has symptoms suggestive of exposure, and if those symptoms are worse when they are inside their house, those findings are much more important than getting them to score on a CO-oximeter or a breath meter.
Friday, 17 November 2006
What has hyperbaric treatment to offer?
Treatment with oxygen given under hyperbaric conditions can be life-saving in acute poisoning.
It is generally accepted that if logistically feasible, and if the patient is stable enough to transfer to a unit, those unconscious from CO poisoning should be treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT).
Patients who should be discussed with the nearest hyperbaric chamber facility include those who have been unconscious at any time (irrespective of their current l.o.c.), those with 'hard' neurological findings, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing vascular disease.
HBOT has also been shown to reduce the incidence of DNS and other cognitive sequelae.
It is generally accepted that if logistically feasible, and if the patient is stable enough to transfer to a unit, those unconscious from CO poisoning should be treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT).
Patients who should be discussed with the nearest hyperbaric chamber facility include those who have been unconscious at any time (irrespective of their current l.o.c.), those with 'hard' neurological findings, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing vascular disease.
HBOT has also been shown to reduce the incidence of DNS and other cognitive sequelae.
Optic and other neuritides
CO is especially toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Optis neuritis is a recognised sequela of exposure, as is peripheral neuritis (sometimes picking out a single peripheral nerve such as femoral, sciatic, ulnar) and various other patterns of mixed neuronal damage.
Optis neuritis is a recognised sequela of exposure, as is peripheral neuritis (sometimes picking out a single peripheral nerve such as femoral, sciatic, ulnar) and various other patterns of mixed neuronal damage.
Cases in the news
This post will be updated periodically with cases currently in the headlines.
As of November 16th 2006, Crookhill Primary School in Gateshead remains closed following a suspected spillage of CO from three boilers situated under a classroom. The school was initially evacuated on November 14th.
As of November 16th 2006, Crookhill Primary School in Gateshead remains closed following a suspected spillage of CO from three boilers situated under a classroom. The school was initially evacuated on November 14th.
Wednesday, 15 November 2006
CO - what is it
Carbon Monoxide is just that - the monoxide of carbon. It is therefore combustible; what it really wants to be is carbon dioxide.
It is produced from the partial combustion of any kind of 'fossil' fuel, and also carbohydrate fuels like wood and paper.
It is colourless and odourless (although the Victorian gas experts say it had an odour of garlic about it.) It is about the same density as air, but since it is usually associated with hot combustion gases, tends to rise in an enclosed environment.
It is produced from the partial combustion of any kind of 'fossil' fuel, and also carbohydrate fuels like wood and paper.
It is colourless and odourless (although the Victorian gas experts say it had an odour of garlic about it.) It is about the same density as air, but since it is usually associated with hot combustion gases, tends to rise in an enclosed environment.
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