The New CO and Smoke Inhalation Advisory Service in the UK

Abstract

Physicians often have limited experience of carbon mon oxide poisoning, and regional and national poison units are regularly contacted for advice. To improve the situa tion a 24-hour/365 days a year advice line was created to advise both hospital accident and emergency depart ments and poison units. This service started in January 1996. All calls to the service are initially dealt with by a first responder whose aim is to identify 'critical answers' and act accordingly. If the patient's poisoning is suffi ciently severe, then onward referral to a hyperbaric unit may be appropriate. In addition to patient care, the CO advisory service provides training and lectures for all hospitals that request this support. To date the total referrals can be broken down as accidental poisoning (51%), smoke inhalation (27%), non-accidental poison ing (21 %) and cause unknown (1 %). This is in contrast to the general perception that non-accidental poisonings make up the vast majority of cases. The service under takes to follow the progress of the patient until all issues are resolved and to remain available to provide advice and support until it is no longer required. In the future the service hopes to provide data for research and eventual ly to provide leadership in organising and running treat ment trials including the efficacy and value of hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Mitigating the use of Electric Generators: An Operative Model of Distance and Greening Buffers

“…Carbon monoxide is the major product of combustion arising from the use of electric generator. It is the commonest cause of accidental poisoning (Guy et al, 1999). It was noted to be poisonous and dangerous as a result of its reversible displacement of oxygen from haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin (Blumenthal, 2001).Poisoning may still result even with passive ventilation (McDonald et al, 2010) this suggests that the multiple use of electric generators in high density areas is one of the greatest risks to human livability in cities.…”

“…It was noted to be poisonous and dangerous as a result of its reversible displacement of oxygen from haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin (Blumenthal, 2001).Poisoning may still result even with passive ventilation (McDonald et al, 2010) this suggests that the multiple use of electric generators in high density areas is one of the greatest risks to human livability in cities. Britain records an average of 50 deaths and 200 severe morbidity cases annually (Guy et al, 1999). Annual death rate as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in America was put at 1.5 per million persons.…”

Domestic Electric Power Generator Usage and Residents Livability Milieu in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

“…( Passchier and Passchier, 2000). The unwanted sound from generator can damage physiological and psychological health, causing annoyance and aggression, hypertension, high stress levels, tinnitus, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and other harmful effects (Pichot, 1992, Kryter, 1994Guy et al, 1999;Blumenthal, 2001;Schwatz et al, 2010;Seleye-Fubara et al, 2011). This study therefore analyses the significance of the usage of electric generators in Ogbomoso Nigeria.…”

Knowledge and attitude of Nigerian personnel working at Federal Medical Centre in Nigeria on carbon monoxide poisoning from electrical power generators

“…2 Each year in Britain, approximately 50 people reportedly die and 200 suff er severe morbidity by carbon monoxide poisoning. 5 Some poisoning is caused by intentional harm, but most of it is accidental. 6 It is the most common cause of accidental poisoning, and according to one estimate, carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms in as many as 25 000 people in the UK can be attributed to faulty gas appliances.…”

“…6 It is the most common cause of accidental poisoning, and according to one estimate, carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms in as many as 25 000 people in the UK can be attributed to faulty gas appliances. 5 Between 1999 and 2004, 400 Americans died annually from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Twenty thousand presented at the emergency room, and 4 000 were hospitalised owing to carbon monoxide poisoning.…”