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People use their grills, cars and generators to heat their homes – and carbon monoxide poisoning is increasing because of it.
At least 300 cases and two deaths linked to carbon monoxide were reported in Harris County on Tuesday, Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a report.
update of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Hidalgo called the poisonings a “disaster within a disaster”, adding that the numbers from Harris County are “just the tip of the iceberg”.
Doctors call it a public health emergency
As of Monday, the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston has witnessed more than 100 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, a spokesperson told CNN.
“We are seeing cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in cold weather,” the spokesperson said. “But we don’t usually see that many patients in such a short time.
Given the influx of patients, doctors at the hospital called the situation a “very serious public health emergency”.
The Cy-Fair Fire Department in Harris County also
issued a warning this week, saying the department had transported 14 people, including at least seven children poisoned by carbon monoxide in just 24 hours.
How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Most poisoning is attributed to the use of outdoor devices indoors.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, devices such as grills, campfire stoves, generators, and car engines all release carbon monoxide, which at some levels can cause sudden illness or death if inhaled.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect exposure – but it can sometimes produce flu-like symptoms like headache, dizziness, or weakness.
A crucial way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to not use devices that expel it for heat indoors, advises the CDC.
This means not driving cars in adjoining garages, not burning anything in unventilated stoves or fireplaces, and
do not bring generators inside.
Memorial Hermann Health System said that at present, patient care has not been affected by the rise in poisoning. The system will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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