Public Awareness and Attitude of the Hazards of Carbon Monoxide (Co) Poisoning and the Safety Precautions Applied to That Regard, Among Saudis for the Year 2013-2014.

Abstract

Background:Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous, odorless, colorless and non-irritating gas. It is formed by incomplete combustion of carbon or carbonaceous material. Because burning under conditions with insufficient oxygen will prevent complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide gas will be formed. When inhaled, it will prevent absorption of oxygen by combining with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which result in secondary tissue hypoxia and cellular damage, hence the name "silent killer". Objectives:The three main objectives of the study are; (a) Measuring public exposure to CO producing sources among Saudis using social networking, in winter season for the year 2013-2014, (b) Assessing their awareness and knowledge towards the hazards of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning produced by different means of heating, and (c) Determine the safety precautions applied to that regard. Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted online targeting, sample size of 634 Saudis from age of (16-50 years) who are using social networks, regarding: a) The public exposure to different CO producing sources, b) The public knowledge regarding symptoms, sources and risks, c) The safety precautions followed to prevent unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning Result:Based on our research, more than half of our sample size (53.94 %) were exposed to CO from different sources with difficulty in breathing being the most known symptom chosen by 75.10% of our sample, followed by headache and dizziness being the second with (57.10%) whilst only 11.70% chose seizures, which is the least symptom, selected. CO poisoning resulted in suffocation and death with 89.11% and 59.62% respectively being the most known risks. Burning coal or firewood was the highest selected source of CO with percentage of 88.60% however, only 4.70% thought refrigerators as a

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in People: Recognition and Prevention

“…Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of participants, accounting for 93.8%, indicated that their fuel burning devices underwent expert inspection at the onset of the winter season. In contrast to the findings reported by Hajjar et al (2016), it was seen that a majority (55.6%) of the individuals surveyed did not adhere to safety measures concerning carbon monoxide (CO). Furthermore, only a small percentage (1.7%) possessed a CO safety alarm.…”

Social knowledge of symptoms, risk factors, causes, and preventive measures of CO poisoning among Saudi Arabia's general population

“…According to their reports, (89.1%) of Iranis reported that CO detectors would be helpful for the decrease of mortality rates from CO poisoning, whereas (84.4%) reported that opening window is important prevention of CO leakage and (93.8%) indicated that, their fuel burning devices were checked by an expert at the beginning of the winter. In contrast to these reports (Hajjar et al, 2016) documented that more than half (55.6%) do not apply safety precautions related to CO, with only 1.7% owning a CO safety alarm resulting in a high prevalence of suffocation and death cases among the sample population (89.1%).…”

Health Assistance from the Hazards of Exposure Carbon Monoxide Gas in Simo angin-angin Village, Wonoayu District, Sidoarjo Regency

“…Gas ini terbentuk oleh pembakaran tidak sempurna karbon atau bahan berkarbon. Karena pembakaran dalam kondisi oksigen yang rendah sehingga terbentuk gas karbon dioksida (CO2) maka akan terbentuk gas CO. Bila dihirup akan mencegah penyerapan oksigen, gas CO akan bergabung dengan hemoglobin dalam darah membentuk karboksihemoglobin sehingga dinamakan "silent killer" (Hajjar et al, 2016). Sumber paparan gas monoksida diantaranya pembakaran industri, asap knalpot kendaraan, asap rokok, asap pembakaran dll.…”