Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide

In September 1994 professional tennis player Vitas Gerulaitis prepared for a nap at a friend's house in Long Island. He probably never dreamed he'd never wake up. While he slept, carbon monoxide from a swimming-pool heater seeped into his room through the air-conditioning system. An autopsy showed the gas had displaced 75% of the oxygen in his blood.

Gerulaitis' death was not unique. According to a website of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 100's of people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by improperly used fuel burning devices. Even more are killed from the same gas by idling cars. About 5,000 people are treated for poisoning caused by the gas.

"You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill in minutes," according to the website. "Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned."

According to the EPA, if the devices are used properly there is no danger. Even though the gas is produced, the amount is not deadly. Unsafe appliances, however, can produce enough gas to kill a person in minutes. Infants, fetuses, the elderly and people with special conditions such as anemia, heart disease and respitory problems are especially susceptible.

Symptoms caused by moderate amounts of the gas can include severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, nasuea and a faint feeling. At even low levels carbon monoxide can produce shortness of breath, mild nausea, mild headaches and long term effects. The problem with the symptoms from low amounts is that they may be mistaken for the flu.

According to the website, someone with the symptoms should get fresh air immediately and go to the emergency room. A doctor may ask questions that may be designed to discover if a condition is caused by carbon monoxide poisoning: Does everyone in a house have the same symptoms? Did the symptoms for everyone begin at the same time? Has anyone inspected all the appliances in a home to determine if they are working properly?

There are many things a person can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. All fuel burning appliances should be inspected by an expert before the start of each winter, for example: oil and gas furnaces; gas water heaters; gas ranges and ovens; gas dryers and kerosene heaters.

If possible, only appliances that vent fumes outside should be purchased. All safety instructions that come with an appliance should be followed. A car should never be idled in a garage, even if the door is opened.

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