Carbon monoxide poisoning

cctv.com 02-17-2006 15:20

In northeast China's Jinlin Province and carbon monoxide poisoning has left thirteen people dead and injured 277 others in Yanbian city. A preliminary investigation shows that low atmospheric pressure might have triggered the rash of cases.

Since Monday, several major hospitals in Yanbian city have been receiving patients suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Doctors have been busy providing treatment for those affected, including an infusion of oxygen and fluids. Most of them are from city suburbs.

A patient said: "We live in a single-story house and depend on furnaces for warmth in winter. We felt bad this morning and came here."

A preliminary investigation by the local government shows that the major reason was the sudden warm weather since Monday. This brought on low atmospheric pressure. Authorities say bad air ventilation in single story housing without central heating -- likely led to the poisoning of many residents. But fortunately, most of them came to the hospitals on time.

Deputy director of Yanbian Hospital Guan Like said: "Most patients are in stable condition. Only several of them are still in a coma."

To guard against the accidental poisoning of others, the local government has sent out work groups to the densely-inhabited city suburbs. They will help to spread safety information on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as necessary prevention steps. Simplified check-in procedures have been set up in some hospitals for patients with symptoms of carbon monoxide.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com