A SHARP dip in temperatures across the Hawkesbury has fuelled warnings for the community to avoid bringing outdoor heating appliances inside.
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Director of Public Health, Dr Bradley Forssman said outdoor heating equipment was not suitable indoors and could lead to a build-up of carbon monoxide.
“Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas which forms when the carbon in fuels doesn’t completely burn,” Dr Forssman said.
“Indoors, carbon monoxide is formed mainly by unflued gas-heaters and wood-burning heaters. Carbon monoxide can cause harmful health effects by reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the body’s organs and tissues.”
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms, headaches and dizziness.
At a higher concentration, people exposed to carbon monoxide may also experience impaired vision and coordination as well as confusion.
“There are also potentially serious health effects for unborn babies when exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide,” Dr Forssman warned.
“At extremely high levels, carbon monoxide poisoning occurs and can cause death.
“Treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning involves removing the patient from the poisonous environment and giving them oxygen at a fast rate.”
Anyone who appears to be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be removed from the source.
Dr Forssman said that after removing the patient, call 000 immediately so they can attend their local emergency department by ambulance to receive early treatment with oxygen.
