The incident occurred on Saturday, 14 December, in one of the apartments in a multi-family building on Zygmunta Augusta Street in Bolesławiec. It turned out that carbon monoxide was leaking from a gas heater. Three people were poisoned by carbon monoxide. They were attended to by a medical rescue team.

In view of the frequent recent incidents, such as chimney-soot fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the County Headquarters of the State Fire Service recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, commonly known as a silent killer, is an odourless gas with highly toxic properties and, at room temperature, is completely undetectable by the human senses. Since the heating season is already under way and many people heat their homes with gas heaters, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.

Where does carbon monoxide come from and why is it so dangerous?

It is a highly poisonous, colourless and odourless gas, slightly lighter than air, which means that it easily mixes with and spreads through the air. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of many fuels, including wood, oil, gas, petrol, kerosene, propane, coal and crude oil, caused by a lack of the amount of oxygen necessary for complete combustion. This may result from a lack of fresh (outside) air flowing into the appliance where combustion occurs, contamination, wear or incorrect adjustment of a gas burner, as well as the premature closing of a furnace or cooker firebox. It is particularly dangerous in homes where windows are tightly closed or sealed for the winter. Carbon monoxide is also often produced during a fire.

The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning arises from the fact that the gas cannot be detected by humans. It enters the body through the respiratory system and is then absorbed into the bloodstream. In the respiratory system, carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin 210 times faster than oxygen, blocking the supply of oxygen to the body. This poses a serious threat to human health and life. It prevents oxygen from being properly distributed in the blood and causes damage to the brain and other internal organs. Acute poisoning may result in irreversible damage to the central nervous system, coronary insufficiency and a heart attack, or even death.

How can poisoning be prevented?

The primary cause of poisoning is incomplete combustion, which may occur, for example, when windows are closed too tightly and there is no proper ventilation. This causes carbon monoxide to form and makes it difficult for it to escape. As much exhaust gas will flow outside as fresh air flows into the room. Above all, it is therefore necessary to ensure a constant supply of fresh air to the firebox (gas furnace, gas cooker, coal-fired cooker or furnace) and the unobstructed discharge of exhaust gases.

Remember to:

  • open a window slightly in the apartment when using any source of fire (a gas furnace with an open combustion chamber, a gas or coal cooker)
  • do not cover ventilation grilles or air inlets
  • use the services of a qualified person when installing heating appliances and systems
  • carry out regular inspections and cleaning of the ventilation system and chimney flues
  • use technically sound appliances in which combustion takes place in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; check the technical condition of heating appliances
  • use appliances with the appropriate approvals for placing them on the market; in doubtful situations, request the declaration of conformity issued by the appliance's manufacturer or importer, i.e. a document containing information about the technical specifications, intended use and scope of application of the given appliance
  • when replacing windows with new ones, check that the ventilation works properly, because new windows are usually much more airtight than those previously used in the building and may worsen ventilation
  • regularly check the airflow, for example by holding a sheet of paper against a ventilation opening or grille; if nothing interferes with ventilation, the sheet should adhere to the opening or grille
  • frequently air the room where combustion takes place (kitchens and bathrooms equipped with gas water heaters), and preferably ensure that the windows are even slightly unsealed
  • place carbon monoxide detectors in the part of the house where your family sleeps. For increased safety, it is worth placing additional detectors in every room; do not burn charcoal in the house, garage, enclosed porch or similar place if these rooms do not have adequate ventilation
  • do not leave a car with its engine running in the garage, even if the garage door remains open
  • do not disregard symptoms of shortness of breath, headaches and dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, accelerated heart rate and breathing, as they may signal carbon monoxide poisoning; in such a situation, immediately ventilate the room you are in and seek medical advice.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • general fatigue
  • shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing
  • rapid, irregular breathing
  • drowsiness
  • nausea.

The weakness and fatigue felt by a person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, along with impaired orientation and ability to assess danger, cause them to become completely passive (they do not escape the area where the poison has accumulated), lose consciousness and, if no one comes to their aid, die.

How can you help someone suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • immediately ensure a supply of fresh, clean air
  • move the injured person to a safe place in the fresh air as quickly as possible
  • loosen the injured person's clothing, but do not undress them, as they must not be allowed to become chilled
  • call the emergency services
  • if the poisoned person is not breathing after being taken into the fresh air, immediately begin artificial respiration and chest compressions.