Firefighters intervened last Monday, November 10 in a house in Fleury-Mérogis where eight people showed symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. The victims were transported to hospital in absolute emergency, while emergency services carried out the evacuation of the home and took gas measurements. According to SDIS 91, the concentrations measured were 8 ppm on the ground floor and 16 ppm upstairs. Figures well below the fatal threshold but sufficient to cause poisoning.
The dangers of carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and very toxic gas. And the brazier releases it, so it must be used outdoors.
“Using a brazier or barbecue inside an apartment presents serious risks, particularly linked to carbon monoxide and burns. explains Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical. “Carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, even coma and death. This should always be considered when a group of people have the same symptoms in the same place.”
The risk of fire is also high, as is the risk of direct burns in the event of contact with hot embers, particularly among children. Without forgetting that of inhalation. “The fumes released contain fine particles that can irritate the respiratory tract, and combustion in an unventilated space considerably increases its production..
Emergency actions: how to react?
Faced with this type of situation, prevention is essential. It is strongly recommended not to use a brazier, barbecue or any combustion appliance not intended for indoor use. This equipment must be reserved outdoors, in well-ventilated areas such as a garden or an authorized balcony. It is also recommended to regularly ventilate rooms and install reliable carbon monoxide detectors to detect the gas in time.
In the event of poisoning, it is crucial to immediately remove the victim from the CO source, move them to fresh air, and administer high-flow oxygen.
“In the event of serious symptoms or coma, hospitalization in a specialized unit with hyperbaric oxygen therapy must take place in the first hours.“, specifies Dr. Kierzek.
Our expert also emphasizes the importance of rapid treatment to limit respiratory or neurological complications.
Prevention, an essential weapon in the face of this danger
Finally, Dr Gérald Kierzek reminds us of some common sense rules when faced with the threat of carbon monoxide:
- Never light a brazier, barbecue, charcoal stove or any combustion appliance not intended for indoor use in a home;
- Use this equipment exclusively outdoors, in well-ventilated areas, such as a garden or an authorized balcony;
- Ventilate the rooms regularly to avoid the accumulation of CO and detect poisoning in time;
- If combustion appliances are used indoors (space heaters, etc.), install reliable carbon monoxide detectors. These devices are different from smoke detectors.
Useful advice, given that each year, more than 70 serious poisonings linked to this type of device are recorded.