How does carbon monoxide exposure from gas appliances impact on
our health?
The Gas Safe Charity commissioned Cranfield University to carry
out a review on the public health impacts of carbon monoxide
associated with gas appliances in UK homes. They used a number of
authoritative scientific reviews as the basis for documenting
present knowledge, supplemented by more recent papers (published
since 2005) identified through rigorous searches of pertinent
literature databases.
The main conclusions of the review were as follows:
- Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in the home is potentially
harmful and can come from numerous sources and affect all sections
of the population. Some people are more susceptible to CO
poisoning; pregnant women, children, the elderly and
health-impaired individuals are more at risk.
- The most effective form of protection from CO poisoning is the
prevention of inappropriate exposure.
- The misdiagnosis of CO poisoning is a common problem due to the
non-specific symptoms, particularly when exposure has been to low
concentrations over a long period. Improved awareness by the
medical profession is essential in the overall handling of CO
poisoning.
- There may be a considerable number of homes with potentially
faulty gas appliances in the UK. However, the reliability of
available data regarding the number of homes that may be at risk of
CO poisoning from faulty gas appliances is limited. There is a need
for additional research to inform a more exact quantitative
assessment of the risk of CO exposure and poisoning from gas
appliances in the UK.
- Due to the difficulties in diagnosing and in some cases
treating CO poisoning, prevention of CO intoxication is critically
important. This may be achieved by increasing awareness of the
possible symptoms and signs of CO poisoning.
The Gas Safe Charity is acting on findings in the review, and we
are already working towards:
- Improved awareness of the possible harmful affects of CO
poisoning, particularly among people who are more susceptible to
it.
- increased awareness of the importance of making sure gas
appliances are fitted and serviced properly.
- encouraging the use of audible CO alarms.
Download a full version of the
CO report for more information.
