Abstract
Background and Aim: Unintentional non-fire-related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning continues to cause fatalities. Coroners’ narrative verdicts concerning fatal UNFR CO poisoning in England and Wales, 1998-2019, were collated by the Office for National Statistics. Methods: Search terms related to CO exposure were used to obtain information regarding the circumstances of death. Findings were grouped by location of death, source of CO, and reason or behaviour underlying the exposure. Results: There were 750 deaths (77% male). Annual numbers of deaths decreased over the period studied. Two-thirds (68%) of the deaths occurred in the autumn/winter. Of records with information, 59% of deaths occurred in a dwelling (67% male). Males also predominated in deaths in vehicles (91%) and garages/outbuildings (95%). Of deaths with information, domestic piped gas was the most common source of CO (36%), and the most frequent underlying factor was inadequate ventilation of exhaust gases (39%, 91% male). Conclusion: Despite the decrease in the annual numbers of deaths over the study period, there remains a clear need for measures to raise awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning, especially amongst men working alone in garages/outhouses. Education campaigns and fitting and maintaining CO alarms in high-risk areas should be encouraged. Keywords: carbon monoxide, CO, unintentional poisoning, environmental epidemiology, environmental public health, unintentional death, preventing CO poisoning
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call