Danger Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Stationary Car
By Azaraimy HH

Bandar Seri Begawan - In scorching hot and humid weather, Bruneians would think of letting engines on, the air-conditioning running and the windows full up while they wait or sit or do something in their stationary cars.

Around the world, people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning when the 'Killer fumes leak or seep into the cabin of a stationary car while the engine is running.

In Brunei, carbon monoxide poisoning has not happened yet, but it is good to advise people to be cautious of its danger.

However, some believe people should not feel complacent even with precautions in place. They should still look for the early sign of carbon monoxide poisoning - drowsiness.

The best way to prevent poisoning is in not to stay in a car with engine and aircon switched on for a long time. Because the fume is odourless, it sneaks into your system without you knowing it. By then it will be too late. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen within a matter of minutes and is responsible for more deaths than any other single poison.

This odourless, colourless poison can hurt you slowly in low levels, cause permanent neurological dysfunctions in moderate levels and take lives when inhaled in higher levels.

When breathed in, carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the body and prevents blood from carrying oxygen, which then causes the, organs to "suffocate" and fail. There are hundreds of fatalities every year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

In Malaysia, there was a case where a parent left her children in a car with the aircon and engine on to queue up at an ATM machine. When she returned to her car, the children were dead.

In Singapore, a couple died of carbon monoxide, poisoning when the exhaust fumes seeped in through holes in the corroded floorboard of the car.

A report said a modified rear bumper had blocked the car's exhaust and caused the gas to accumulate under it.

"In a genuine case, there is a possibility that the monoxide fumes from the exhaust system leaks into engine system and finds their way into the car," said Automobile Association committee member Elbert Lee.

"My advice is that; it is very important that if you must sit long in a car with the air-con on, slightly wind down the window".

"Majority of cases happened in old cars with an. exhaust problem such as leaking".

Lee suggests cars that are more than three years old should be checked by professionals for signs of corrosion. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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