1. What are the common scenarios of carbon monoxide poisoning in life?
Carbon monoxide is a common type of poisoning in winter, and the main poisoning scenarios in life include the following types:
(1) The use of firewood, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, coal, etc., for heating or cooking, and the production of carbon monoxide due to insufficient combustion is the most important cause of carbon monoxide poisoning among the public in the mainland. Carbon monoxide poisoning, which has been popular in recent years, due to poor ventilation, is also a similar situation.
(2) Although the state has mandated the cessation of production and use of in-line water heaters (gas water heaters), some residents are still using them. In-line water heaters (gas water heaters) consume oxygen when in use, and when the oxygen supply is insufficient, a large amount of carbon monoxide is produced, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.
(3) Carbon monoxide poisoning can also be caused by carbon monoxide leakage from engines, diesel engines, etc. to residents' living spaces. In recent years, there have been a number of poisoning incidents caused by carbon monoxide leakage from diesel (gas) engines in residential areas to residents' rooms.
2. Is the occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning related to climate and environment?
The occurrence of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning is obviously seasonal, mostly occurring at the junction of autumn and winter and cold winter, and the high incidence of regional carbon monoxide poisoning is also related to local climate change. In addition to seasonal influences, regional air pressure and humidity are also associated with the occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by the use of air conditioners in gasoline vehicles in hot summer months is also climate-related.
The direct cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is the inhalation of higher concentrations of carbon monoxide gas, and the small environment, relatively closed, no ventilation or poor ventilation are all important factors affecting the occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. Does carbon monoxide have a special smell of coal, and can it be judged by the senses whether there is carbon monoxide in the environment?
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, irritating after inhalation, and cannot be identified by human senses.
The smell in the use of gas by residents is the addition of thiol-based odorants as an early warning during the production process.
4. What are the manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are as follows:
The early stage of poisoning is dizziness, nausea, weakness, and some patients will also have vomiting, headache, etc.; with the deepening of poisoning, drowsiness, confusion, unsteady walking, flushing and other changes may occur; in severe cases, there may be limb inmobility, speechlessness, consciousness disorder, coma, etc., and severe poisoning can cause limb stiffness or spasm, high fever, which is the manifestation of acute hypoxia in patients.
In addition, carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause late-onset encephalopathy, that is, some patients go through a period of clinical pseudorecovery, usually a few days to weeks, and then develop changes such as dementia stupor, paralysis syndrome, sensorimotor disorders, or peripheral neuropathy.
5. How can the public identify carbon monoxide poisoning?
The public mainly identifies carbon monoxide poisoning from the following three aspects: first, one person or multiple people in the same environment have the above manifestations of carbon monoxide poisoning, second, the poisoned person is in a small environment with poor ventilation, and third, there are scenarios and conditions for carbon monoxide production.
6. What should I do if I find carbon monoxide poisoning?
When carbon monoxide poisoning is found, the fire source should be extinguished or the gas should be cut off immediately, and the windows should be opened for ventilation. Call for help and call the 120 emergency number, on the premise of ensuring your own safety, transfer the patient to a place with fresh air as soon as possible, pay attention to the patient's warmth, untie the collar of the comatose patient, keep the airway open, and wait for the medical staff to rescue. Oxygen can be inhaled as soon as possible.
7. What are the precautions for medical staff when treating patients with carbon monoxide poisoning?
When seeing a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning, the following should be noted:
(1) Typical carbon monoxide poisoning is easy to diagnose, but it is still necessary to distinguish it from simple asphyxiating poisoning, other asphyxiating gas poisoning, cerebrovascular accident, skin herpes, etc.
(2) Hyperbaric oxygen is an effective method for the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, and it should be used as soon as possible.
(3) The prognosis of patients with mild to moderate poisoning is good, and the recovery of patients with severe poisoning is relatively slow, and some abnormal manifestations will persist for a long time.
8. How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
Prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning requires attention:
The first is to ensure the normal use of gas stoves, water heaters, and heater equipment. Before using the gas appliance, smell whether there is a "gas" smell and determine whether there is a gas leak. If there is a suspicion of a gas leak, further inspection should be carried out to check whether the rubber pipe connected to the gas appliance is loose, aged, cracked or bitten.
The second is to ensure ventilation in common scenes. The stove in the living room should be equipped with a chimney, and the chimney structure should be tight, reasonable, and well ventilated. When using fuel for cooking and heating, do not close doors and windows, and pay attention to indoor ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
In addition, it is recommended to install gas alarms in places where carbon fires are used frequently.
Source: Wuhan Emergency Management Bureau
Editor: Zhuhai Emergency Management