22 people poisoned by carbon monoxide since last October

Since the beginning of October 2024, 22 people have been poisoned by carbon monoxide in Gard, the prefecture informs.

16 were hospitalizedtwo of whom had to be treated in a hyperbaric chamber, and two people died. Carbon monoxide (colorless and odorless gas) is the leading cause of accidental toxic mortality in France. Each year, it causes the death of around a hundred people in France and poisons several thousand.

What symptoms?

The production of this gas is the result of incomplete combustion linked to malfunction of a heater or hot water production, failure to sweep chimney flues or inappropriate use of heating equipment: kerosene stove, generator, brazier, barbecue, etc. (regardless of the fuel used: gas, fuel oil, wood, coal, oil, gasoline, ethanol, etc.). What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Headaches, nausea, mental confusion and fatigue. These symptoms may not appear immediately.

To avoid these accidents, precautions must be followed:

• Have combustion appliances intended for heating and the production of domestic hot water serviced regularly, at least once a year, by a qualified professional.
• Have the smoke evacuation ducts swept every year by a qualified professional.
• Ventilate homes daily.
• Never obstruct the ventilation grilles, even in extreme cold.
• Never use generators inside buildings or in enclosed spaces: operate them exclusively outdoors.
• Never heat your home with appliances not intended for this purpose (camping stoves, ovens, braziers, barbecues, cookers, etc.).
• Do not use the auxiliary heaters continuously, as they are designed for brief and intermittent use; follow the instructions for use.

To find out more:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning | Occitanie regional health agency (sante.fr)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning – Ministry of Health and Prevention (sante.gouv.fr)
• Carbon monoxide – Public Health France (santepubliquefrance.fr)

Good reflexes in the event of poisoning and from the first symptoms: ventilate and evacuate the premises; do not re-enter the premises or restart combustion appliances without the advice of a qualified professional. Call 15, 18 or 112 for rapid and specialized support, because the after-effects can be irreversible.