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Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Marc A. Jerome on Friday urged residents to use extreme caution when dealing with generators, as they prepared for Tropical Storm Maria, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and should seek immediate care if they become ill.
Residents can also contact the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Representatives of the Jacksonville, Fla. based agency, which is a partner of the V.I. Department of Health, are available 24 hours a day.
A detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is available on the Department’s website
www.healthvi.org; click on the Public Health Preparedness link.
Frequently Asked Questions - Carbon Monoxide
Q. What is Carbon Monoxide?
A. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body and is highly poisonous.
Q. What Are the Major Sources of CO?
A. Carbon monoxide is produced as a result of incomplete burning of fuels including coal, wood, charcoal, natural gas, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and heating oil. It can be produced by portable generators, small gasoline engines, charcoal grills, gas stoves, automobile exhaust from attached garages, and smoking tobacco. Problems can arise as a result of improper placement, installation, operation, maintenance of CO generating devices or appliances. Improperly designed or malfunctioning exhaust systems for permanently installed home combustion appliances may also contribute to elevated CO levels. Portable generators and charcoal grills are major sources of CO and should never be operated inside enclosed or partially enclosed building or near doors, windows and openings to the house.
Q. What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
A. Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death.
Q. What Should You Do If You Think You Have CO Poisoning?
A. If you think you are suffering from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, you should get fresh air immediately. Turn off all combustion appliances and leave the house. Go to an emergency room. Be sure to tell the physician that you suspect CO poisoning. Don’t ignore symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the Florida-Virgin Islands Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Q. What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning?
A. To prevent CO poisoning, ensure that all household combustion appliances (fireplaces, stoves, water heaters, furnaces) are properly adjusted and working to manufacturers’ instructions and local building codes and make sure stoves and heaters are exhaust vented to the outside and that exhaust systems do not leak.
Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home. Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle, or camper and you never leave a car or lawn mower engine running in a shed or garage, or in any enclosed or partially enclose space. NEVER use gas-powered generators or pressure washers inside any building or structure. Ventilating a building or structure will not prevent the buildup of life threatening levels of CO. Do not locate portable generators or portable gasoline engines near any opening of the house (windows, doors, window air conditioner, exhaust vents.) |
