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Carbon monoxide epidemic among immigrant populations: King County, Washington, 2006.
| Title | Carbon monoxide epidemic among immigrant populations: King County, Washington, 2006. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2009 |
| Authors | Gulati, RK, Kwan-Gett, T, Hampson, NB, Baer, A, Shusterman, D, Shandro, JR, Duchin, JS |
| Journal | Am J Public Health |
| Volume | 99 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pagination | 1687-92 |
| Date Published | 2009 Sep |
| ISSN | 1541-0048 |
| Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Child, Child, Preschool, Disease Outbreaks, Emigrants and Immigrants, Female, Hospitals, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Male, Middle Aged, Population Surveillance, Retrospective Studies, Washington, Young Adult |
| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: We investigated an outbreak of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after a power outage to determine its extent, identify risk factors, and develop prevention measures. METHODS: We reviewed medical records and medical examiner reports of patients with CO poisoning or related symptoms during December 15 to 24, 2006. We grouped patients into households exposed concurrently to a single source of CO. RESULTS: Among 259 patients with CO poisoning, 204 cases were laboratory confirmed, 37 were probable, 10 were suspected, and 8 were fatal. Of 86 households studied, 58% (n = 50) were immigrant households from Africa (n = 21), Asia (n = 15), Latin America (n = 10), and the Middle East (n = 4); 34% (n = 29) were US-born households. One percent of households was European (n = 1), and the origin for 7% (n = 6) was unknown. Charcoal was the most common fuel source used among immigrant households (82%), whereas liquid fuel was predominant among US-born households (34%). CONCLUSIONS: Educational campaigns to prevent CO poisoning should consider immigrants' cultural practices and languages and specifically warn against burning charcoal indoors and incorrect ventilation of gasoline- or propane-powered electric generators. |
| DOI | 10.2105/AJPH.2008.143222 |
| Alternate Journal | Am J Public Health |
| PubMed ID | 19608962 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC2724456 |
