Co-Morbidity and Mortality : Six Decades of Carbon Monoxide Poisonings

Carbon monoxide, a very simple molecule and a common product of incomplete combustion, is a familiar yet dangerously unfamiliar substance. To the average citizen it finds its way into discussions of automobile exhaust, suicides, and cigarette smoke. But misconceptions or lack of awareness seem to continue to cause hundreds, if not thousands, of accidental deaths in this country every year. This is, of course, in addition to an even greater number of intentional deaths, for which carbon monoxide is the chosen means of self- destruction. In fact, carbon monoxide remains the leading cause of all poisoning deaths in the United States (and, quite possibly, the world). From a public health point of view, questions of public awareness and public safety remain the most important issues. Practically all of us sit in heavy traffic from time to time, the media carry occasional reports of families sickened or killed by faulty (or inappropriate) heating systems, many of us know of people who have intentionally died after starting cars in closed garages, and smokers are ever so discreetly warned that "Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide." Due to its insidious properties, carbon monoxide gives little or no warning signs to unsuspecting victims. Lower level poisonings are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed when patients tell their doctors about difficulties with headaches, dizziness, nausea, or weakness. Too often they receive treatment for viral- or food-related illnesses, then return home to the true source of the problem, only to have their symptoms persist for months... or worse.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Co-Morbidity and Mortality : Six Decades of Carbon Monoxide Poisonings', published 2002 under ISBN 9781423548577 and ISBN 1423548574.