In wake of the tragic death of five members of a family from Baramulla due to suffocation inside a rented accommodation in Pandrethan in Srinagar last night, the doctors on Monday urged people to take precautionary measures to avoid the loss of life
“Due to winter we use different kinds of appliances to keep rooms warm. Gas heaters, charcoal and other such appliances consume the oxygen within the particular room and in absence of the proper and due ventilation there is accumulation of obnoxious gases like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which are odourless gases and as such people don’t notice the same,” Kashmir's leading pulmonologist Dr Naveed Nazir Shah said.
He said initial causes are that one gets dizziness, headache, and fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, confusion or mental disorientation, chest pain (in severe cases) and falls unconscious.
“Normally haemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and organs but once carbon monoxide enters the body, it has high affinity for haemoglobin and as such oxygen transportation process gets impaired, so people tend to have dizziness, etc and ultimately the patient succumbs,” Dr Naveed, who is also HOD of a department in Chest Disease Hospital, said.
Dr Naveed urged people to take precautionary measures and called the same as the need of the hour.
“While we need to keep our room warm, people should use those appliances which normally do not consume oxygen and importantly, there is need to maintain proper ventilation. Any such appliance which consumes oxygen need not to be kept functional or in use throughout the night. People must ensure that obnoxious gases find vent outside and at the same time, there is continuous flow of oxygen and that is why proper ventilation is a must,” he said.
A senior doctor at SKIMS also urged people to take all necessary measures to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning and among others urged people to never use generators indoors, always operate them outdoors, away from windows, doors, and vents.
“People must avoid using charcoal or gas geyser and heaters indoors. These can quickly build up dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. In all situations, people must keep their home properly ventilated. People must ensure adequate airflow in areas including those where fuel- burning appliances, like gas heaters or stoves, are kept,” he said.
People as such, he said, must ensure that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents are unobstructed to allow for the proper expulsion of gases.
“Once the carbon monoxide enters the body, normally there is headache, dizziness or light- headedness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, confusion or mental disorientation and chest pain (in severe cases). If one experiences any of these symptoms, he or she must leave the area immediately and seek medical attention,” he said.
He said the increase in carbon monoxide poisoning cases is alarming, and prevention is essential.
“By taking simple safety measures, one can significantly reduce the risk of exposure and protect him or herself besides loved ones from harm,” he added.