The couples who died in Minas may have been intoxicated by toxic gas given off by burning coal or firewood; the symptoms of intoxication are eye irritation, headache, nausea and dizziness
The death of a tourist couple in a chalet in Monteverdein Minas Gerais, this weekend, reinforces the need to be careful with equipment that guarantees heating indoors, which is often used during the winter.
The couple were possibly intoxicated by carbon monoxide generated by burning coal or wood used in the fireplace of their chalet. The case is being examined by the Civil Police.
“This gas is extremely dangerous, as it has no odor or color, i.e. the person inhales it without realizing it, and when the intoxication reaches a certain level, the victim may pass out and even die,” warns the Fire Department del Paraná on their website.
When a person inhales carbon monoxide, the oxygen and hydrogen in the blood is replaced by the gas. The first symptoms of intoxication are eye irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
When the amount of toxins in the blood increases, the person loses consciousness. If she is alone or if other people in that environment also pass out, the chance of death will increase a lot, as people will continue to breathe the toxic gas. How quickly this can happen depends on the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air.
The municipality of Camanducaia communicated that the Monte Verde district has more than 7,000 beds, of which about 95% equipped with a heating system and fireplace. “No case of this kind has ever occurred. It should be noted that the place where the couple was staying did not have an operating license and did not follow the rules of regular accommodation,” he said in a statement.
The essential care in using the fireplace is to check that the fumes it produces invade the environment rather than being expelled through the flue. The most common problem is chimney clogging, which can usually be easily corrected with a chimney sweep. Another recommendation is that there is a window or ventilation grill near the fireplace to keep the oxygen in the room.
In the case of gas fireplaces, it is essential to observe whether the nozzles that produce the flames are clogged, which can lead to leaks.
Other appliances that need attention for emitting toxic gases are gas showers, portable heaters and stoves. All these devices must be periodically inspected to verify that they are in perfect condition for use. If they are defective, incomplete combustion of fuel will generate accumulation of toxic gases in the environment.
Hence the importance of another precaution: maintain ventilation, leave some doors and windows open – in winter you would want to completely close the house, to make it warmer, but it is important to have a channel that prevents the accumulation of toxic gases .
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
