Beware of the Invisible Killer in Daily Life: Must-Read for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
Beware of the Invisible Killer in Daily Life: Must-Read for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
More and more people choose to enjoy a steaming hot pot during holidays.Yet no one expects thateating hot pot can lead tosuspected carbon monoxide poisoning cases,with multiple people rushed away by ambulances.
Case
Several customers at a hot pot restaurant were suspected of carbon monoxide poisoning. Multiple ambulances and police cars parked in front of the restaurant, drawing a large crowd of onlookers. On the same day, the Emergency Management Bureau of Haidian District, Beijing released an official statement to investigate the cause of the incident.
In recent years, similar incidents have occurred repeatedly. To study this issue, researchers carried out a special experiment using charcoal as hot pot fuel to test indoor carbon monoxide levels and their hazards under different conditions.
Experiment Results
◉ Room 1: With doors and windows open and continuous ventilation, the two mice in the cage inside the hot pot room remained highly active.
◉ Room 2: Doors and windows closed but exhaust fan turned on. The two mice were still jumping around energetically in the cage.
◉ Room 3: Doors and windows closed, exhaust fan off. About 5 minutes later, one of the previously lively mice slowed down and hid in the corner; the other also moved sluggishly...
Ten minutes later, researchers used a professional carbon monoxide detector to take readings.▷ Carbon monoxide concentration in Room 1 was 20 ppm, within the safe range.▷ Carbon monoxide concentration in Room 2 was 42 ppm; the two mice stayed lively.▷ Carbon monoxide concentration in Room 3 hit 136 ppm, far exceeding the levels in the other two rooms.
Carbon monoxide is an intermediate product generated during the combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as coal, firewood, town gas, solid alcohol, gasoline, diesel and kerosene. As we know, combustion requires oxygen. Poor ventilation reduces oxygen levels, resulting in incomplete combustion and increased carbon monoxide production. When indoor carbon monoxide rises to a certain concentration, it can poison people.
According to data, exposure to carbon monoxide at 220 mg/m³ for one hour causes poisoning; 1800 mg/m³ for one hour can be fatal. At a concentration of 14080 mg/m³, instantaneous death can occur within just one minute.
Autumn and winter see a high incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning, so effective prevention is essential. Please note that the following folk remedies are extremely unreliable:
Myth 1: Exposure to cold will wake poisoned people
A grandfather and grandson suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at the same time. Villagers carried the still-breathing pair outdoors without any warmth protection. Both died one after another. Cold exposure worsens oxygen deficiency, triggers peripheral circulatory disorders, and may induce shock and death. Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning will NOT regain consciousness simply by being exposed to cold air.
Myth 2: No stinky coal smell means no poisoning
Low-quality coal releases an unpleasant odor when burning, which may cause headaches and dizziness. However, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, produced by incomplete carbon combustion. It is completely wrong to assume there is no carbon monoxide poisoning if you cannot smell coal fumes.
Myth 3: A basin of water beside the stove prevents poisoning
Carbon monoxide is insoluble in water. The key prevention measures are to avoid fully sealing doors and windows, install ventilators, and keep chimneys unobstructed. A basin of water placed next to the stove cannot absorb carbon monoxide leaking from it.
Rather than relying on manual checks and experience to judge excessive carbon monoxide, Dasheng recommends household
carbon monoxide alarms. Equipped with an electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor, these alarms detect CO in the air via electrochemical principles, boasting good selectivity and stability.
Friendly Reminder
Rooms using flueless coal stoves for heating or cooking.
Poorly ventilated spaces such as air-conditioned rooms or basements where charcoal or solid alcohol is used for hot pot or barbecue.
Rooms with improperly installed, incorrectly operated or leaking gas water heaters or gas stoves.
Inside a car with windows closed and the air conditioner running for a long time, or when the engine remains idling while parked.
