Service | Rates | Natural Gas | Water | Contact Us | Home
11.27.05 Carbon monoxide sickens a dozen A dozen Omahans had close encounters this weekend with the poisonous adversary carbon monoxide. Four members of the Alfieri family in southwest Omaha's Applewood Heights subdivision went to the Nebraska Medical Center on Saturday. They were released within several hours. Eight people celebrating a 5-year-old boy's birthday in a South 30th Avenue apartment had to be taken to the hospital Friday night. They were released from the Nebraska Medical Center early Saturday. The name of only one member of the group, Hipolito Ventura, 29, was released by authorities. No one was at the apartment early in the afternoon. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 500 Americans are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning each year. This is the season when carbon monoxide is especially threatening. As winter approaches and temperatures drop, people close their homes, turn up the heat and light fireplaces. Warming up motor vehicles can invite carbon monoxide, too. Dr. Chad Branecki, a Nebraska Medical Center emergency room physician, said carbon monoxide results in up to 11,000 emergency-room visits annually in the United States. In the apartment unit near 30th and Leavenworth Streets, the Metropolitan Utilities District determined the carbon monoxide buildup occurred because of blocked stovetop burners and an improperly installed water heater. Initial reports were that nine people were taken to the hospital from the home, but hospital records show only eight needed treatment. At the Applewood Heights home near 102nd and Harrison Streets, MUD spokeswoman Tracey Christensen said, a collapsed furnace flue caused the problem. Omaha Fire Department rescue workers responded to the Applewood Heights address about 6:45 a.m. Saturday. Chris and Pam Alfieri said they have their furnace checked yearly and had a carbon monoxide detector, but it didn't work. "You do all the right things, and stuff like this still happens," said Chris Alfieri. Pam Alfieri said that when she woke up she was lightheaded and dizzy. "I had trouble walking," she said. "I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't figure out what to do next." She described experiencing things in a delayed-reaction fog. Meanwhile, their son, 6-year-old Joe, "was like a limp noodle," she said. "I was trying to wake him up. . . . He was pretty sick, and he was pretty lethargic." Getting everyone into fresh air helped, she said. Chris Alfieri had felt tired and nauseated off and on through the week, Pam Alfieri said. Another child, 5-year-old Emma, felt few if any symptoms, her mother said. The four returned home late Saturday morning, and the two children scampered about. Experts say carbon monoxide can be troublesome in part because some people assume they have the flu. Carbon monoxide poisoning can produce a range of symptoms, including headaches, memory loss, confusion, argumentativeness and depression. In some cases victims experience chest pains, have difficulty breathing and suffer heart attacks, Branecki said. Carbon monoxide hinders the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Medical professionals treat the problem with heavy doses of oxygen through a mask and, in extreme cases, by placing a person in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. There, high concentrations of oxygen are pumped in at high pressure. Acting Fire Capt. Dan Miller said improperly installed, maintained and vented appliances, including gas water heaters, stoves, gas dryers and furnaces, cause many carbon monoxide problems. Still, there are numerous ways people can suffer carbon monoxide poisoning, Miller said. Cars should be warmed up outside, he said. Even if the garage door is open, trapped carbon monoxide can seep into the house after the garage door is closed. Carbon monoxide poisoning facts
How to prevent poisoning
If you suspect poisoning
|
||||