Carbon monoxide

Klobuchar, Nelson Announce Bill to Prevent Carbon Monoxide-Related Deaths; Legislation Would Enact Tougher Safety Standards

June 9, 2009 --Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced legislation today to combat deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning. The Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, modeled after successful similar legislation in Minnesota, would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to enforce stronger standards to protect people against the deadly dangers of carbon monoxide.

Senators Klobuchar and Nelson serve on the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the commission. Klobuchar and Nelson introduced similar legislation during the 110th Congress.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. Currently only 22 U.S. states have state-wide statutes requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residences. UTC Fire & Security’s Kidde Residential & Commercial (Kidde R&C) business is calling for CO safety legislation in all 50 states.

Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, heating sources and car exhaust fumes. At high concentration levels CO can be fatal in minutes.

Statistics from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that carbon monoxide poisoning kills at least 500 people each year in the U.S. and sends more than 20,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.    » read more »

March 24, 2009 -- Surrounded by friends and relatives of recent victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act into law.

The act is named after Parker and Caroline Lofgren and their children Owen (10) and Sophie (8), all of whom died while vacationing in Aspen over Thanksgiving, and Lauren Johnson, a 23-year-old University of Denver graduate student who died in her apartment in January.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is urging residents to be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using alternative sources of power during an outage.

Due to recent weather-related power outages, Michigan residents are asked to be extra vigilant as they compensate for the lost power.

If not used safely, gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other alternative heating or power sources can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with friends, family, or at a community shelter as a safer alternative.    » read more »

February 1, 2008 -- With an approaching storm bringing freezing rain to parts of the State, the Maine Center for Disease Control warns Maine citizens to be very careful using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other heating or power sources during power outages. If not used safely, they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when burning most types of fuels. Using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters, charcoal grills, and gas grills can cause poisoning if CO gas builds-up in closed in spaces.    » read more »

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Can Kill in Minutes

December 4, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today warned residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with malfunctioning heating systems, blocked chimneys and the improper use of portable gasoline-powered generators.    » read more »

August 24, 2007 -- The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is urging residents to be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning when using alternative sources of power during an outage.

Due to recent weather-related power outages, Allegan, and Barry, and Kalamazoo county residents are asked to be extra vigilant as they compensate for the lost power.    » read more »