Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Midi-Pyrénées

Abstract

Systematic enquiries are now made about every case of CO poisoning in the Midi-Pyrénées. The present study aims to amass more cases and to start more technical enquiries. Eventually it is hoped to develop a regional hospital surveillance system in co-operation with the hyperbaric oxygen centre. Over the 2 years from Sep tember 1993 to September 1995 there were 283 cases of CO poisoning in the Midi-Pyrénées region which re sulted in 222 hospitalisations. Analysis of the cases showed that poisoning by CO was most often acute, acci dental, involved a group of people and generally oc curred by pollution of the domestic environment. The most frequent reason was lack of ventilation which was found in 33.3% of cases. Water heaters and boilers were responsible in 46.6% of cases and water heaters alone were responsible for 22% of cases. Poisonings most often occurred in the winter period when there was greater use of heating. An awareness of the importance of safety and the necessity to take preventive action to avoid such poisoning has led to the creation of'Qualigaz' in 1992. This organisation can carry out 'safety checks' on new installations and diagnostic work on the safety of existing installations.