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Short Summary
Main recommendation: Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing carbon monoxide alarms and having fuel-burning heating systems inspected by a qualified person every year. Dr. Lynn Weaver of Intermountain Medical Center explains that CO is odorless and colorless, and that it is a common, serious cause of emergency visits, especially in colder weather. The main danger she highlights is running fuel-burning equipment, including small engines, indoors.
Key Points
- CO is odorless and colorless, so people cannot detect it by smell or sight, which is why alarms matter.
- Dr. Weaver says there are an estimated over 50,000 emergency department visits per year in the United States, and that colder states like Utah tend to see higher rates than warmer southern states.
- Cold weather increases use of heating sources, and furnaces can fail from problems like a bird nest blocking the flue or a cracked heat exchanger, even if they worked the previous year.
- CO comes from anything that burns carbon fuel, including furnaces, car and boat exhaust, and small motors such as generators, concrete saws, and chippers.
- Respirators do not protect against carbon monoxide; they only filter dust and debris.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions: Have your heating system inspected by a qualified individual every year. Install a carbon monoxide alarm as an extra layer of protection. Replace alarms every five to six years, even though the battery is advertised to last 10 years. Never run generators, concrete saws, chippers, or other small gas-powered motors indoors. Check the CDC website (search "carbon monoxide") for further information.
- Alarms cost around $40 to $50 for a self-contained model and are sold at hardware stores, Walmart, Costco, and online.
- Dr. Weaver mentions a more expensive, portable alarm with an on-off switch that she travels with, useful for situations such as flying.
- Recent cases mentioned include a man poisoned while using a concrete saw in a basement in Park City, and a fatal case involving a rented concrete saw in St. George.
- Dr. Weaver says she personally treated roughly 30 to 40 patients per year in recent years, a small portion of likely cases across Utah.
Bottom Line
Carbon monoxide is invisible and can build up quickly from heating systems and indoor engine use, so prevention through inspections and alarms is the key to avoiding serious harm.
