Carbon Monoxide Poisoning among Poultry Breeders

Abstract

Some two thirds of the poultry breeding industry in France are concentrated in the west of the country and produce 38% of birds bred for meat. Two successive episodes of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in poultry breeding establishments led the Antipoison Centre of Rennes to study factors responsible for such accidents. From 1994 to 1998, 10 accidents linked to CO were recorded, and 25 people were affected of which 76% were treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy. None of the cases had any long-term effects. The chickens themselves are less affected, but in one incident 3,500 chickens were found dead around the radiant heaters. A study in Morbihan from November 1996 to November 1997 in which all workers were supplied with a CO detector pre-set to 50 ppm showed several instances of levels above the 50-ppm norm. Accidents were found to occur in newer tighter buildings during the coldest months of the year. Poor maintenance of gas heating equipment was a major factor as well as the age of the equipment. Ventilation of at least 20% of an air change per hour was found necessary to keep CO levels below 50 ppm, and ventilation at this level was judged satisfactory. The study has allowed a better understanding of the factors which lead to accidents and enabled preventive measures to be proposed. It was felt that these should be enclosed in regulations to ensure their implementation and the protection of workers.