Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Natural Disasters: The Hurricane Rita Experience

Cukor, Jeffrey; Restuccia, Marc C.

doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2007.02.043

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…18 Two manufacturers of marine generators voluntarily incorporated catalytic converters to decrease CO poisonings on houseboats, 19 and CO  carbon monoxide similar measures have been suggested for portable generators. 5,20 Weatherization of generators by incorporating a waterproof housing, receptacle covers, and ground-fault circuit interrupter protection might lessen the risk for electrocution and make outside generator use easier. 18 Because no consensus has been reached regarding a safe distance from a home for operating a generator, CDC recommends placing the generator as far from the home as possible.…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning after an Ice Storm in Kentucky, 2009

et al. 2011

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Objectives. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during natural disasters. On January 26-27, 2009, a severe ice storm occurred in Kentucky, causing widespread, extended power outages and disrupting transportation and communications. After the storm, CO poisonings were reported throughout the state. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the extent of the problem, identify sources of CO poisoning, characterize cases, make recommendations to reduce morbidity and mortality, and develop prevention strategies.Methods. We obtained data from the Kentucky Regional Poison Center (KRPC), hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) facilities, and coroners. Additionally, the Kentucky Department for Public Health provided statewide emergency department (ED) and hospitalization data.Results. During the two weeks after the storm, KRPC identified 144 cases of CO poisoning; exposure sources included kerosene heaters, generators, and propane heaters. Hospitals reported 202 ED visits and 26 admissions. Twentyeight people received HBOT. Ten deaths were attributed to CO poisoning, eight of which were related to inappropriate generator location. Higher rates of CO poisoning were reported in areas with the most ice accumulation.Conclusions. Although CO poisonings are preventable, they continue to occur in postdisaster situations. Recommendations include encouraging use of CO alarms, exploring use of engineering controls on generators to decrease CO exposure, providing specific information regarding safe use and placement of CO-producing devices, and using multiple communication methods to reach people without electricity.

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Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning after an Ice Storm in Kentucky, 2009

et al. 2011

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“…Our study suggests the importance of providing information to the populace regarding prevention of CO poisoning. Despite extensive public health messaging about the hazards of CO exposure, it continues to occur in post‐disaster situations . Although previous reports suggest that receiving health information on CO poisoning before, during, and after a disaster could lead to safer health practices, information is at times not widely received by affected populations .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disaster‐related carbon monoxide poisoning after the Great East Japan Earthquake, 2011: a nationwide observational study

Nakajima

Aso

Matsui

et al. 2019

Acute Medicine & Surgery

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Aim To investigate disaster‐related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after the Great East Japan Earthquake using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. We identified adult patients with CO poisoning who were registered in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database from 2010 to 2017. We evaluated trends in the numbers of patients with CO poisoning each month from disaster (Tohoku region) and non‐disaster areas. In the disaster area, we compared the numbers of patients with CO poisoning during pre‐ and post‐earthquake periods. We also compared the numbers of CO poisonings after the earthquake (<30 days) and 1 year later. Results Eligible patients (n = 7,814) were categorized into disaster area (n = 988) and non‐disaster area (n = 6,826) groups. The numbers of CO‐poisoned patients in the non‐disaster area showed a seasonal variation, and there was a significant peak registered on March 11 in the disaster area. In the disaster area, the number of patients with CO poisoning in the post‐earthquake period was significantly higher than that in the pre‐earthquake period (135 versus 18; odds ratio, 7.50; 95% confidence interval, 4.59–12.3). The number of patients in the post‐earthquake period was also significantly higher than that on April 9, 2012, which was one month after the annual follow‐up (135 versus 10; odds ratio, 13.5; 95% confidence interval, 7.10–25.7). Conclusion This study showed that CO poisoning significantly increased in the affected area after the Great East Japan Earthquake, underlining the importance of providing information regarding the hazard of earthquake‐related CO poisoning.

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“…This lapse in communication is significant, considering that carbon monoxide exposures from generator use have been responsible for illnesses and deaths following such natural disasters as hurricanes Katrina and Rita and more recently Hurricane Ike. 6,7 A need for postdisaster health messages to include information about proper placement of equipment such as generators and use of battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors was also identified in Texas after Hurricane Ike. 8 Although health messages were widely received by the overall population, whether the right messages reached specific subgroups that were more vulnerable to certain health issues was a major concern of the study.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Postdisaster Health Communication and Information Sources: The Iowa Flood Scenario

Murphy

Iqbal²,

Sánchez³

et al. 2010

Disaster med. public health prep.

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ABSTRACTBackground: During June 2008, heavy precipitation and 500-year flood events resulted in the displacement of thousands of families throughout eastern Iowa. The objectives of this study were to assess the effectiveness and preferred sources of health messages communicated to the public following the disaster.Methods: Three hundred twenty-seven households were surveyed in 4 counties hit hardest by the flooding. A 48-item questionnaire containing items on demographics, housing, health information sources, and 8 specific health issues was administered.Results: Almost all of the participants (99.0%) received information on at least 1 of the health topics covered by the survey. Most participants received information regarding vaccination (84.1%), mold (79.5%), safe use of well water (62.7%), respirator use (58.7%), or stress (53.8%). Television was the primary (54.7%) and preferred (60.2%) source of health information for most people, followed by the Internet (11.0% and 30.3% as source and preference, respectively).Conclusions: Public health messages were received by a wide audience in the flood-affected communities. Along with more traditional health communication channels such as television, radio, or newspapers, continued emphasis on the development of health information Web sites and other technological alternatives may result in useful and effective health communication in similar situations.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2010;4:129-134)

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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Natural Disasters: The Hurricane Rita Experience

Cited by 18 publications

References 8 publications

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning after an Ice Storm in Kentucky, 2009

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning after an Ice Storm in Kentucky, 2009

Disaster‐related carbon monoxide poisoning after the Great East Japan Earthquake, 2011: a nationwide observational study

Postdisaster Health Communication and Information Sources: The Iowa Flood Scenario

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