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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Duluth - Fire Department
602 West Second Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802
218-730-4400 •www.duluthmn.gov
For more information contact Kelli Latuska,
Public Information Officer at 218-730-5309
DATE: 6/18/2012
SUBJECT: CO Detectors
BY: Marcus Hardin, (Acting) Assistant Chief

NATURE OF INCIDENT: Carbon Monoxide
CASE NO.: 12004618
INCIDENT DATE: 6/18/2012
INCIDENT TIME: 2120
INCIDENT LOCATION: 1534 E Superior Street

 This evening, fire crews responded to 1534 E Superior St for a report of a Carbon Monoxide alarm sounding, and found the family outside, having already evacuated the apartment.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that is DEADLY.  It is a by-product of a fuel burning process.  It can cause symptoms that can mimic flu, unconsciousness and even death.  Many appliances around the home are capable of producing Carbon Monoxide when a faulty or unusual condition exists.

The water heater in this residence was found to be the culprit, with our meters registering 85ppm in the basement, and 40 ppm on the main floor.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 50 ppm is the maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure in any 8 hour period, with levels above 100ppm being potentially lethal.

One juvenile was transported to St Lukes with symptoms of exposure.

Were it not for the Carbon Monoxide detector sounding, and the family heeding the warning, this tragedy could have been much worse.

In Minnesota, it is the law that every residence have a Carbon Monoxide detector, and this event proves the point yet again.

 

Acco