A dramatic incident occurred on Monday, October 25, in the late morning at Rynek Street in Bolesławiec. Emergency services were called to an older man who lost consciousness in the bathtub.

The first to arrive was a medical emergency team, which began resuscitation efforts. Bolesławiec firefighters joined the operation. It turned out that carbon monoxide was present in the apartment.

The resuscitation effort lasted several dozen minutes. Fortunately, the man’s vital signs were restored. The injured man was taken to hospital.

The County Headquarters of the State Fire Service, in view of the frequent incidents recently, such as soot fires in chimneys and carbon monoxide poisoning, recommends installing carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, commonly known as CO, is an odorless gas with highly toxic properties; at room temperature, it is completely undetectable by human senses. Since the heating season has already begun and many people heat their apartments 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, colorless and odorless gas, slightly lighter than air, which means that it easily mixes with and spreads through it. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of many fuels, including wood, oil, gas, gasoline, kerosene, propane, coal and crude oil, caused by the lack of the amount of oxygen necessary for complete combustion. This may result from insufficient fresh (outside) air reaching the device in which combustion takes place, due to contamination, wear or incorrect adjustment of a gas burner, as well as prematurely closing the firebox of a stove or cooker. This is particularly dangerous in apartments 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 stems 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 hemoglobin 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 the proper distribution of oxygen in the blood and causes damage to the brain and other internal organs. The consequence of acute poisoning may be 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 hinders its 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 (a gas heater, gas stove, coal-fired cooker or stove) and unrestricted exhaust-gas discharge.

Remember to:

  • open a window slightly in the apartment when using any source of fire (a gas heater with an open combustion chamber, a gas or coal-fired cooker)
  • do not cover ventilation grilles or air inlets
  • use a qualified person when installing heating appliances and systems
  • have ventilation systems and chimney flues inspected and cleaned periodically
  • 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 case of doubt, request the so-called declaration of conformity issued by the appliance’s manufacturer or importer, that is, a document containing information on the technical specifications, intended use and scope of application of the appliance
  • when replacing windows with new ones, check that the ventilation works properly, because new windows are usually much tighter than those previously used in the building and may worsen ventilation
  • check the airflow regularly, for example by holding a sheet of paper against a vent or ventilation grille; if nothing is obstructing the ventilation, the paper should adhere to the aforementioned vent or grille
  • frequently air the room where combustion takes place (kitchens, bathrooms equipped with gas water heaters), and preferably ensure that the windows are slightly open, even if only through a small gap
  • place carbon monoxide detectors in the part of the house where your family sleeps. For greater safety, it is worth placing additional detectors in every room; do not burn charcoal indoors, in a garage, on an enclosed porch, etc., if these areas 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 ignore symptoms of shortness of breath, headaches and dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, accelerated heartbeat 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, as well as impaired orientation and ability to assess danger, cause them to become completely passive (they do not escape from the place where the poison has accumulated), lose consciousness and — if no one comes to their aid — die.

How to help in the event of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • immediately provide a supply of fresh, clean air
  • move the injured person to a safe place, into 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 cardiac massage.