Although carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable, emergency department visits and deaths still happen each year. In Utah, there were 253 emergency department visits reported in 2019 for carbon monoxide poisoning. In that same year there were 4 deaths reported as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. One of the most effective preventive solutions to carbon monoxide poisoning is to have, properly install, and routinely check your household carbon monoxide detectors. Household detectors are affordable and can be purchased at most grocery and home improvement stores.

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion and present in combustion fumes. Whenever there is a combustion, some carbon monoxide gas is produced. Carbon monoxide is present in combustion fumes produced by cars, trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, gas ranges, and heating systems. Carbon monoxide poisoning is of particular concern during emergency situations, such as power outages or natural disasters. This is because generators, charcoal-burning devices, and gasoline-powered equipment produce carbon monoxide. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, never operate these devices inside your home, basement, garage, camper, or even outside near an open window.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur outdoors in fresh air and has been reported while boating. In this case, carbon monoxide poisoning is attributed mostly to generator exhaust that builds up inside and outside a boat in areas near exhaust vents. Dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide can accumulate within seconds. Therefore, schedule regular engine and exhaust system maintenance for your boat. Install and maintain a working CO detector listed by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) as appropriate for marine use inside the boat.

Even though everybody is susceptible to CO poisoning, some people are especially vulnerable.

Unborn babies, infants, and people with respiratory problems, chronic heart disease, or anemia are more likely to get sick from carbon monoxide. Americans ages 65 and older have the highest risk of death from CO poisoning.

Follow these recommendations to reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Do

• Install a battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detector in your home. Install at least one CO detector on each level of your home, including the basement, and near sleeping areas. Test the detectors regularly. If the alarm goes off, leave your home immediately and call 911. Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
• Place carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
• Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
• Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseous.

Do not

• Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, tent, garage, or even near an open window.
• Do not run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the garage door open.
• Do not burn anything in an unvented space.
• Do not heat your house with a gas oven. Gas ovens release small amounts of carbon monoxide. CO concentration can increase as the gas oven is on for a long period of time and can lead to CO poisoning.

Resources

• Utah Poison Control Center- Home page
• Utah Environmental Epidemiology Program (EEP)- Carbon Monoxide and Public Health
• Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) Division of Air Quality- Carbon Monoxide
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Inpatient hospital discharges (based on admission date)

• Number of carbon monoxide hospital discharges
• Crude rates of carbon monoxide hospital discharges
• Age-adjusted rates of carbon monoxide hospital discharges

Emergency department encounters (based on admission date)

• Number of carbon monoxide emergency department encounters
• Crude rates of carbon monoxide emergency department encounters
• Age-adjusted rates of carbon monoxide emergency department encounters

Inpatient hospital discharges (based on discharge date)

• Inpatient hospital discharges (based on discharge date) - includes discharges, length of stay, charges, and deaths

Emergency department encounters (based on discharge date)

• Emergency department encounter (based on discharge date) - includes treat and release, treat and admit (inpatient), and all encounters

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Utah Tracking displays data on the number of emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Utah Tracking also receives data on carbon monoxide exposure reported to the Poison Control Center and carbon monoxide mortality information reported by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Vital Records and Statistics.

There is also survey data on how many Utah residents report having at least one carbon monoxide detector in their home.

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