The numeral of death and injuries occurred due to carbon monoxide poisoning could be drastically higher than those revealed by official statistics. The researchers believe that several cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are overlooked because the medical personnel do not routinely test for the poisoning.
Co poisoning occurs as carbon monoxide merges and binds with hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, less oxygen is supplied to body tissues and vital organs like heart and the brain. The union between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin is approximately two hundred and fifty times stronger than the bond between oxygen and hemoglobin.
Health and Safety Executive-HSE accepted that there was underreporting in all health and safety issues. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas which is generated when fuel does not burn properly. Carbon monoxide leaks from boilers, gas appliances or flues that have not been properly maintained.
The symptoms of the condition may include headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, vomiting, tiredness, collapse and loss of consciousness. The Gas Safety Trust charity believes that cases are being missed due to a lack of awareness and because pathologists in the UK do not routinely check for carbon monoxide poisoning subsequent to each death.
The HSE figures reported four people died and more than one hundred fell sick due to carbon monoxide poisoning in UK in year 2010. Their statistics reported deaths to be lower than ten years ago. As part of the study, the charity observed a pilot involving ambulance crews in London who were sent out with five carbon monoxide testing kits over a year-long period.
More than eighty people suffering from poisoning were identified in London alone. They were stunned by the numbers. They used two types of testing appliances, one used on the pulse and one to test levels of carbon monoxide in the breath, explained paramedic Andy Humber, who co-ordinated the pilot.
Overseas investigation suggests the gaps in their knowledge could be disguising considerable numbers of carbon monoxide poisoning occurrences. A spokesman from the charity said the organization also accepted there was under-reporting of health and safety incidents across all sectors.