Carbon monoxide can reach deadly levels without warning, another reminder.

Cherie Berry, Commissioner of Labor 1-800-625-2267 ♦ www.nclabor.com HAZARD /ALERT! Occupational Safety and Health Division HOI Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1101 Carbon Monoxide Can Reach Deadly Levels Without Warning — Another Reminder Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced as a by-product of the incomplete burning of hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), coal and wood. Because the poisonous gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless and has about the same density as air, it readily mixes in air and cannot be detected by smell or taste. CO can also accumulate if ventilation is not adequate to remove it or merely recirculates existing air without adding fresh air. One of the most common sources of exposure in the workplace is the internal combustion engine. Deadly Workplace Accidents: • The owner of a store died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the use of a gas-powered generator in the basement of the store. The victim had indicated to another employee that he was not feeling well and went into the basement of the store but never returned. He was later found unresponsive and could not be revived. CO levels in the basement were found to be greater than 900 parts per million following removal of the victim. • Two workers died from CO poisoning while using a gas- powered concrete saw in a room being renovated at a factory. The employees had sealed the room, including air vents, to keep dust from escaping into the rest of the building. In North Carolina, the permissible exposure limit for CO in general industry and construction is 50 parts per million (ppm) as an average over eight hours. Additionally, the NIOSH IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health) level for CO is 1 ,200 ppm. This is the maximum airborne concentration from which a worker could instanta¬ neously escape without injury or irreversible health effects in the event of the failure of respiratory protection equipment. North Carolina businesses in general industry, maritime and construction use a wide range of equipment that produces, or has the capability of producing, deadly levels of carbon monoxide. These include small gasoline-powered engines and tools, LPG-powered forklifts, gas-powered floor buffers, concrete cutting saws, and portable generators. Hazards Carbon monoxide binds tightly with hemoglobin in blood to form carboxyhemoglobin. The carboxy- hemoglobin blocks the transport of oxygen to other cells, tissue and vital organs in the body. Health Effects Blood levels of carboxyhemoglobin vary in individuals. In nonsmokers, the levels can range from 0 percent to 3 percent. For light smokers, the levels can range from 4 percent to 5 percent. Heavy smokers can have levels from 5 percent to 9 percent. People with pre-existing heart disease are at increased risk. Fetuses of pregnant women are also at increased risk — especially when mothers are exposed to high CO levels. Recognizing early warning signs of CO poisoning is sometimes difficult because early symptoms of CO exposure such as headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea are nonspecific. The symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses such as colds, flu or food poisoning. Confusion and weakness can inhibit a person’s ability to escape the hazardous environment. Steps to prevent poisoning: • Move the victim immediately to fresh air in an open area. • Call 9 1 1 or another local emergency number for medical attention or assistance. • Administer 100-percent oxygen using a tight-fitting mask if the victim is breathing. • Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the victim has stopped breathing. • Install an effective ventilation system that will remove CO from work areas. • Maintain equipment and appliances (e.g., water heaters, space heaters, cooking ranges) that can produce CO in good working order to promote their safe operation and to reduce CO formation. • Consider switching from gasoline-powered equipment to equipment powered by electricity, batteries or compressed air if it can be used safely. Any internal combustion engine, such as the generator pictured here, max' produce carbon monoxide.