The need for a uniform method of investigation of domestic carbon monoxide incidents.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-62)It was the purpose of this study to determine if there was uniformity in the methods of investigation of domestic carbon monoxide incidents conducted by local public health agencies. Carbon monoxide poisoning, long recognized as an occupational health problem, is receiving increased attention by public health officials as a domestic health problem. Annually in the United States, medical attention is required for approximately 10,000 persons and 1,400 persons expire as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide in the residential environment. For this study a questionnaire survey of about one-half of the forty-six (46) local public health departments in California revealed that 67% of these agencies conduct investigations of domestic carbon monoxide incidents. Varying differences in the procedures by these agencies, for the reporting of investigative data and testing of suspected gas appliances for emission of carbon monoxide, were noted. As a result of this study, it was recommended that: local public health departments should investigate domestic exposures to carbon monoxide; these investigations should be conducted by Environmental Management personnel; the completeness of the investigative data to be reported relating to victim, dwelling unit and gas appliance is more important than the type of investigative form on which the data is recorded; the suspected gas appliance should be subjected to testing by a direct-reading instrument that will give an almost instant reading of the approximate maximal level of carbon monoxide gas generated