SymptomsĬarbon monoxide poisoning can cause a range of symptoms including headache, nausea and vomiting, skin flushing, muscle pain, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, coordination difficulties, confusion, or chest pain. Who is at risk?Īll people and pets exposed to carbon monoxide can experience carbon monoxide poisoning.Ĭhildren, pregnant women and their unborn babies, older people and those with chronic illnesses such as heart and lung disease, are at increased risk of severe health impacts from carbon monoxide poisoning. Refer to the Energy Safe Victoria's safety alert External Link list for models of open-flued gas heaters that should be checked by a qualified gas fitter immediately. This Standard requires newly manufactured open flued gas space heaters to shut down within 15 minutes to prevent carbon monoxide spillage if the appliance is operating in a negative pressure environment. In July 2022, Energy Safe Victoria banned the sale and supply of new open flued gas heaters that do not meet new Australian Standards. Airflow through clear wall vents or a partially opened window may prevent negative room pressure occurring. This is especially important if you live in a renovated or weather sealed house with an open-flued gas heater. The risk is increased if the heater is faulty or the flue/chimney is blocked.Ĭhecking for negative room pressure External Link should be part of regular gas heater service and testing. The combination of this occurring at the same time as operating an open-flued gas heater or wood heater, may draw unsafe levels of carbon monoxide into the living area via the heater’s flue/chimney. Negative room pressure External Link can occur when there is inadequate room ventilation in the home and a kitchen rangehood or bathroom exhaust fan is operating. Open-flued External Link gas heaters, as well as wood heaters, where air from within the home is drawn in to feed the fire, may increase indoor carbon monoxide levels under certain conditions. This increases the potential that carbon monoxide exposure is not identified by health professionals which may have serious or potentially fatal consequences. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are non-specific and can be confused with other more common conditions. This can cause a health risk when they are used in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, such as inside the home or in a caravan. Medical professionals should be aware of symptoms that could suggest carbon monoxide poisoning and follow the recommendations in this Advisory.Īny gas appliance, gas heater, wood heater or fire-place, equipment or items powered with a gas or petroleum engine, have the potential to leak carbon monoxide, especially if they are used incorrectly or are faulty.Energy Safe Victoria recommends that all gas heaters are serviced and tested at least once every two years by a licensed or registered gasfitter. barbeques, heat beads, and patio heaters.wood fired heaters and decorative gas log fires.Sources of carbon monoxide may include:.Symptoms may include headache, nausea and vomiting, skin flushing, muscle pain, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, coordination difficulties, confusion, or chest pain. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are non-specific and can be mistaken for flu-like illness or food poisoning.Very high levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness, seizures and death.gas, oil, kerosene, diesel, petrol), wood and tobacco. It is a combustion product made by burning substances such as petroleum products (eg. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas.Don’t drive yourself to the hospital, because you may pass out while driving. If you believe you have CO poisoning, go outdoors immediately and call 911. You should never treat CO poisoning yourself. This treatment quickly increases oxygen levels in the blood and it’s typically used in severe cases of CO poisoning or to treat CO poisoning in pregnant women. The oxygen chamber has twice the pressure of normal air. Your doctor may temporarily place you in a pressurized oxygen chamber (also known as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber). If you’re unable to breathe on your own, you’ll receive oxygen through a ventilator. Your doctor will place an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth and ask you to inhale. This treatment increases oxygen levels in the blood and helps to remove CO from the blood. The best way to treat CO poisoning is to breathe in pure oxygen. Quick treatment is essential to prevent life-threatening complications. If a doctor suspects you have CO poisoning, you’ll receive treatment immediately once you’re in the hospital. How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?
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