local time on Thursday, the department had responded to 18 incidents involving 40 patients, 26 of whom were transported with "measurable CO levels." Daniel Arizpe of the Cy-Fair Fire Department told NPR by email that as of 1:30 p.m. More: /XoJ6kPNI6E- Readygov February 17, 2021Ĭapt. □ Regularly circulate fresh air in your rooms. □ NEVER use a charcoal grill, stove or oven to heat your home. If you are heating your home to stay warm, avoid hazards like fire or carbon monoxide poisoning: These mechanisms all release carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that at certain levels can cause permanent brain damage or death in mere minutes. State and local officials attribute most of the cases to the use of improper home heating sources, from devices like barbecue pits, charcoal grills and campfire stoves to practices like running portable generators and car engines indoors. "The truth of the matter is, this carbon monoxide poisoning is in many ways a disaster within a disaster," Hidalgo said. She called that number "just the tip of the iceberg," saying it was likely much higher. She said some of those calls were made en route to an emergency room or urgent care center.Īt least 300 cases, including two fatalities, were reported in Harris County - the state's most populous - as of Tuesday night, according to Judge Lina Hidalgo. ![]() 11, a Texas Department of State Health Services spokesperson told NPR on Thursday night. Texas is seeing a surge in carbon monoxide poisonings this week, as plunging temperatures and persistent power outages send residents searching for warmth increasingly from dangerous sources.Ī total of 450 carbon monoxide-related calls statewide have been made to the Texas Poison Center Network since Feb. Mark Felix/The Washington Post via Getty Images Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in the state have increased in recent days, with officials attributing most to the improper use of heating devices like charcoal grills and portable generators. People in Houston wait in line to fill their propane tanks on Wednesday amidst widespread power outages related to the winter storm.
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