• In the United States 439 persons died each year because of unintentional, non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning from19994-2004*.
- Death rates were highest for adults 65+ years old and males.
- There were 46 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in Maryland.
• In Maryland there were 914 inpatient hospitalizations and 3,710 Emergency Department (ED) visits due to carbon monoxide poisoning from 2000-2009.
• Carbon monoxide deaths, ED visits and inpatient hospitalizations for the State of Maryland, Maryland counties as well as states and counties in other states are available through user-generated data queries from the National Tracking Network (NTN) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Maryland Tracking Network (MTN) in the State.
* King M, Bailey MS, Carbon monoxide—related deaths—United States, 1999-2004. MMWR 2007; 56: 1309-12.
You can't see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous.
Each year people become ill or die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon Monoxide:
• It can mimic food poisoning
• It can cause long-term brain damage
• It can cause kidney and liver failure
• It can cause a miscarriage
• It can kill
This is often due to:
• Heating with gas oven.
• Improperly operating a generator in an area not properly ventilated.
• Using a kerosene heater inside.
• Running a vehicle in an enclosed garage.
• Inadequate maintenance of appliances.
Be safe - learn about carbon monoxide, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, and how to prevent it:
Symptoms of CO poisoning-
• The most common symptoms of CO poisoning include:
• Headache
• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness, fatigue and confusion
• Chest pain
• High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death, especially in people who are already sleeping or intoxicated. They may never wake up.
CO detectors alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in the air from faulty appliances or heaters, while smoke alarms go off when smoke from a fire is present.
Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
Using a generator indoors will kill you in minutes
ONLY use outdoors and far from open windows, doors, and vents.
Schedule annual inspections of all furnaces and gas appliances.
Don’t sleep near a gas or kerosene space heater.
Never burn anything in a stove or grill that isn’t vented.
Make sure the flue is open before starting a fire in the fireplace.
For more information call the DHMH Environmental Health Helpline: 1-866-703-3266, or email:
dhmh.envhealth@maryland.gov
