Comparison of Carbon Monoxide Levels During Heating of Ice and Water to Boiling Point With a Camping Stove

Abstract

There were no significant differences for CO production between bringing a pan of ice or water to boiling point. In a small number of ice trials, the presence of a yellow flame resulted in high CO concentration. Yellow flares might occur more often with ice or snow melting, but this has not been proven.

Does Pan Diameter Influence Carbon Monoxide Levels During Heating of Water to Boiling Point With a Camping Stove?

“…This assumption was based on previous findings that any significant yellow change in the flame was associated with a rapid rise to extremely high CO concentration, fuel leaking from the stove jets, and the stove becoming depressurized. 9 If this had occurred, a blue flame would not have been found at the end of each trial, as was the case here.…”

“…5,7,9 It results in consistent CO responses to the same conditions and allows comparisons of CO production when a variable is altered. 9 The stove was positioned in the center underneath this box. Aluminum pans were used with a base diameter of 165 mm (small) and 220 mm (large).…”

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Tents—A Review☆

“…Leigh-Smith et al 23 During the 1956 to 1957 Trans Antarctic Expedition, Pugh 6 compared COHb concentration in tent occupants continually melting snow for 2 hours with those merely heating their tents for 3 hours. He used a Primus stove in partially ventilated, double-walled, 2500-L tents made of heavy cotton fabric.…”

“…Smith used a Coleman Peak stove and naphtha fuel inside a partially ventilated, 5000-L tent. He compared CO concentration while merely heating the tent with CO concentration during a 20-minute ice melt at different 10 Henderson et al 22 Pugh 6 Leigh-Smith et al 23,29 125…”

Investigating Carbon Monoxide Exposure on Denali

“…Although invaluable, stove use increases the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure and toxicity for individuals exposed to exhaust fumes. [1][2][3][4] Interestingly, initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS), and determining whether a climber has AMS, CO poisoning, or both poses a challenge to health care providers in the high-altitude setting. [4][5][6][7] Anecdotal reports of CO poisoning in mountaineers have been documented by the National Park Service Corresponding author: Clay Roscoe, MD, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, 777 Raymond St, Boise, ID 83704 (e-mail: jclayroscoe@ hotmail.com).…”