Vancouver Coastal Health warns of carbon monoxide poisoning during winter months

A Metro Vancouver health authority is sounding the alarm over the potential of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as B.C. delves deeper into the winter months.

Vancouver Coastal Health says that during the colder times of the year, when people spend more time indoors, hospitals in its jurisdiction see an almost 65 per cent increase in emergency department visits due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

“CO is produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, and other fossil fuels. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines using these fuels in a tightly sealed or enclosed space may allow the gas to accumulate to dangerous levels. Prolonged exposure to this invisible, odorless gas can cause significant damage to an individual’s internal organs and, in some situations, may be fatal,” VCH said in a statement Monday.

VCH says simple steps can be taken to avoid poisonings, such as installing a CO detector — similar to a smoke detector — and having furnaces checked every year.

“The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre receives about 350 CO exposure referrals each year and between 20-40 of those cases are treated in Vancouver General Hospital’s hyperbaric chamber.

“VCH has the only publicly-funded hyperbaric chamber in B.C. It provides 100 per cent oxygen in a high-pressure environment, which increases the level of oxygen in a patient’s bloodstream, helps the body rid itself of CO, and aids healing.”

The health authority says CO can give people very subtle poisoning symptoms, and many don’t even realize they need to seek treatment.

“Symptoms include headache, blurred vision, nausea, shortness of breath and/or confusion. If you think you or someone you’re with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately seek fresh air and emergency care,” VCH explained.