CO-Gas, Schlumberger &
the Editor at the House of Commons

On the 29th of July a reception was held at the House of Commons, hosted by Schlumberger Industries, to launch a new Carbon Monoxide Gas Detector. In the event, there was hardly a mention of the product, and the evening was devoted to a very effective presentation by Stephanie Trotter, the President of CO-Gas Safety, on the insidious dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning, and general discussion about them.

The undetected killer

CO is a poisonous gas which is particularly dangerous because you cannot see, smell, or taste it. It can kill in tiny amounts because it is over 200 times more attractive to the haemoglobin in the blood than oxygen. This means that a person can be suffocated as well as poisoned. The presence of CO gas can cause headaches, nausea, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, 'flu-like symptoms, palpitations, chest pains, collapse followed by unconsciousness and then death!

CO is also dangerous because the above effects can be easily attributed to some other cause, and doctors can misdiagnose what is wrong with you. Dr. John Henry, when Consultant Physician at the National Poisons Unit, sent the symptoms of CO poisoning to 200 General Practitioners and asked them to identify the cause. Many sensible suggestions were made, but not one GP suggested CO as the cause.

More common than you think!

CO-Gas Safety found that in a twenty-six month period, data compiled from newspaper cuttings and checked with Coroners showed 134 accidental deaths from CO poisoning and over 800 near misses. Those near misses can result in permanent injury, and long term exposure to low levels of CO can cause brain damage.

How does it occur?

Any domestic appliance that burns fossil fuels can be a source of CO which is produced when incomplete combustion occurs. In other words, the appliance is not working properly. A blocked or partially blocked flue or chimney will cause the products of combustion, including CO, to leak into the room. So will insufficient air entering the room for the fire (gas, oil or solid fuel) to burn completely. Perhaps a vital air inlet has been closed to prevent draughts.

Internal combustion engines create CO gas, more so if they are poorly maintained. The MOT Test now includes a gas emissions check, and too high a (:0 content can be a cause of failure. But vehicle efficiencies can deteriorate seriously between tests, and this, coupled with a leaky exhaust that allows gases to escape into the vehicle, can create an eventually lethal situation, both to the occupants and to other road users or pedestrians. CO-Gas has recorded deaths of those working on their cars with the engine running in a confined space. More insidious is the long term exposure to CO which can occur without the victims being aware of it. Research has shown an association between this and increased incidents of ischaemic heart disease.

Suppose you think you might be exposed to CO gas?

TRANSCO, the gas pipeline operator, has an emergency service, but they don't carry equipment to trace CO. This is like sending someone out to check for radioactivity without a Geiger counter!

Doctors can mistake CO poisoning symptoms for 'flu or other common ailments. If there is a possibility that you have been exposed to CO gas, ask for a test. Some doctors' surgeries have test equipment (sometimes called a Smokalyser or ToxCo) which will analyse your breath for CO. It is painless and gives an instant result. If it shows up, a blood test may be required. But being able to breathe fresh air soon reduces the CO so, unless a breath or blood test is taken at the scene, or in the ambulance, or within 24 hours, the presence of CO may not be evident but the damage will have been done. Hyperbaric Oxygen (i.e. under pressure) can prevent lasting damage.

How to protect against CO

Sweep chimneys and flues every year without fail. Have appliances checked every year by a properly qualified engineer, and ask about qualifications and whether he has a flue gas analyser to check for CO. Give the appliance the air it needs. Do not block vents and, if they are blocked, clear them at once. Fit a Carbon Monoxide Detector with an audible warning made to BS 7860, such as the Schiumberger model XH443B. CO detectors are different from smoke detectors. There are several on the market, including a hand held battery operated one which you can take abroad. Faulty water heaters in holiday accommodation have been the cause of tragic CO deaths.

What else can be done?

Stephanie Trotter, who is a lawyer and who drew up what eventually became the "Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act" following her own son being injured at a residential sailing centre and then the tragic drowning of four teenagers in Lyme Bay, has drafted a Fuel Safety Bill. This has the descriptive title of "[he Licensing of landlords, Carbon Monoxide and Fuel Safety in Dwelling Houses Bill 1998".

CO-Gas was founded by Nigel Griffiths MP, who had to resign as Chairman when he became a Government Minister, and by Molly Maher. It is supported by Conservative MP Marion Roe, Labour MP Fraser Kemp and Liberal Democrat MP Colin Breed. Baroness Maddox is now the Chairman.

Fraser Kemp has promised to sponsor this Bill, but everyone realises that it is notoriously difficult to turn a Private Members' Bill into law. However a copy will be sent to every MP soon and you can obtain a copy from CO- Gas Safety, particularly if you wish to lobby your MP or local Council.

Contact Stephanie Trotter Tel: 01372 466135. Fax: 01372 468965

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