Carbon monoxide poisoning - be aware of the symptoms

Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride today urged people to be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

He was speaking during Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of carbon monoxide by providing information on the dangers, simple steps for safety and prevention, the most common symptoms, and where to seek help and advice.

To coincide with CO Awareness Week, Dr McBride has written to health professionals in Northern Ireland to alert them to the signs and symptoms to look out for in patients, and provide them with information to share with their patients on the steps to take to prevent exposure.

He said: “Carbon monoxide poisoning causes a small number of deaths and hospital admissions each year in Northern Ireland. However, given that the symptoms are similar to those of many other conditions, diagnosing the illness is not easy. That is why I have written to my colleagues in the health profession to ensure they are more suspicious of symptoms that could be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.

"As with many illnesses, recognising the symptoms and getting medical help quickly is very important. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness and feeling weak.

“If anyone suspects that they may have carbon monoxide poisoning, I would urge them to visit their GP as soon as possible.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Deaths and hospital admissions in Northern Ireland in recent years are as follows:

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Deaths 2 1 3 1 2

Admissions 6 5 9 3 8

2. The most common symptoms and signs and an indication of their approximate frequency in carbon monoxide poisoning are:

• headache: 90% of cases
• nausea and vomiting: 50% of cases
• vertigo: 50% of cases
• alteration in consciousness: 30% of cases
• subjective weakness: 20% of cases

3. The following are suggestive of domestic CO poisoning:

• more than one person in the house is affected;
• symptoms are better when away from the house, eg on holiday, but recur on returning home;
• symptoms are related to cooking, with a stove in use; and
• symptoms are worse in winter, with heating in use.

4. The following signs may be recognised in the home:

• black sooty staining on or around an appliance (eg. a stove, boiler or fire), such as on the walls;
• the accumulation of smoke or excessive condensation in rooms owing to faulty flues – although you cannot smell CO, you may be able to smell other combustion products; and
• yellow or orange, instead of blue, flames from gas appliances or boiler pilot lights (excluding ‘decorative’ flame fires).

5. People to consult:

For CO measurements in the house contact:

• For gas: Local CORGI (Council for Registered Gas Installers) engineer – call 0800 915 0485.
• Northern Ireland Gas Emergency Service – call 0800 002 007.
• For Oil: Local OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) engineer – call 0845 600 2105.
• For Solid Fuel: Local HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) engineer – call 0845 634 5626.
• Your local Health and Social Services Board (HSSB).

For advice on the management of poisoning contact:

• The Northern Ireland Regional Medicines and Poison Information Service on 028 90 632032.
• Refer to TOXBASE or the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) on 0844 892 0111 for the interpretation of blood sample results and for more detailed advice on CO poisoning.

6. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office on 076 9971 5440.