Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisonings – Update as of November 3

Nationwide, since September 1, 2015, 138 cases have been reported to the surveillance system, involving 411 people, of whom 249 were treated by a hospital emergency department and 55 were referred to a hospital hyperbaric medicine unit. Four deaths from accidental poisoning were reported, of which 2 were domestic and 2 were work-related. During the same period of the previous heating season (2014–2015), 131 cases were reported (385 people exposed, of whom 1,276 were transported to a hospital emergency department). Over the past two weeks, 52 incidents were reported, involving 140 people, 86 of whom were transported to a hospital emergency department, and one death related to a boiler. At the regional level, five incidents of accidental CO poisoning were reported in the region, four of which occurred in single-family homes. Ten people were involved; 4 were transported to a hospital emergency department, and 1 was subsequently hospitalized. No hyperbaric chamber treatment was required, and no deaths occurred. A public health bulletin on "the overview of carbon monoxide poisonings" for the 2014-2015 season is available on the websites of the Auvergne Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS).

Focus on CO poisoning in public-access facilities (ERP)Seven poisoning incidents have occurred in public-access facilities since September 1, 2015, including 3 in the past two weeks. One of these mass incidents occurred at a train station involving a snowblower, exposing 9 people to CO fumes. The second incident occurred in a bar involving the use of a space heater, exposing 1 person to CO. The third incident was a reported case of CO poisoning that occurred in a café.

From Monitoring to PreventionThe Directorate General of Health (DGS) and the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) reiterate the following advice to prevent CO poisoning: - Have flue ducts inspected and maintained (by mechanical sweeping)- Have boilers, water heaters, fireplace inserts, and stoves inspected and maintained- Never use devices not intended for heating (generators, braziers, barbecues): They must be placed outside buildings.