2023-06-19 02:00:00
The cold weather has started and an invisible killer is on the loose. Many people lose their lives each year as a result of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Most of the cases are related to: the use of braziers in closed environments, malfunction, incorrect installation or inappropriate use of appliances that work with Natural Gas (NG) or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This situation is aggravated by the ignorance and confusion that the general population has when linking CO poisoning with suffocation from a natural gas leak. On the other hand, the use of braziers for heating is common in a large part of Tucuman families, which increases the population exposed to this seasonal risk. CO is a highly poisonous gas for people and animals, which mixes with the air, making it difficult to recognize (it cannot be seen, smelled or tasted). It is produced by the incomplete combustion (with little oxygen) of fuels that have carbon in their composition (examples: NG, LPG, coal, firewood, kerosene, wood, etc.). It enters the body through breathing and once inhaled it combines with hemoglobin in the blood through the lungs, preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs. Some of the symptoms that may occur are: headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, etc., which can lead to diagnostic errors, since they are indicators of other diseases (flu, digestive, etc.). The keys to avoid them are: 1)- Permanent ventilation where the devices are used. 2)- Installation, maintenance and correct operation of the devices. 3)- In the case of braziers: use them only in well-ventilated environments and never in bedrooms. Prevention is vital to avoid poisoning by inhaling this toxin.
#Letters #readers #carbon #monoxide