02:26
Unknown
Rawalpindi
With the onset of chilly weather, majority of people have started using heating systems to keep rooms warm though most of them are unaware of the preventive measures that must be taken to avoid complications and deaths caused by the heating systems when used improperly.
A severe cold wave has already gripped various parts of the country including twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Soon after setting in of winter, at least three persons suffocated to death here in Dhoke Kala Khan in town last week while two others were hospitalised due to complications caused by the heating system.
The incident convinced health experts to express their concern on the subject. Many health experts say that by using heating systems sensibly, a number of deaths and complications can be avoided.
It is important that a number of families suffocate to death in Pakistan every year during winter season because of using heating systems including gas heaters and burning of coal and wood without taking precautionary measures. Health experts say that there is a need for creating awareness among public on how to prevent complications and deaths while using heating systems.
Majority of people use heating systems including gas heaters extensively in evenings and nights. A number of persons die every year in the country due to keeping the gas heaters on for the whole night during sleep or by keeping rooms closed while using coal or wood as fuel.
It is important that all sorts of fuels, including gas, coal and wood produce carbon dioxide consuming oxygen from the atmosphere while burning. It causes lowering of oxygen level in the room if not properly ventilated. When the oxygen level lowers, the fuels start producing carbon-monoxide in the atmosphere which results in production of carboxy haemoglobin in the lungs cutting of the supply of oxygen to haemoglobin in the blood required for the process of respiration. The phenomenon causes suffocation which may lead to the unconsciousness and subsequently to death.
Carbon-monoxide is invisible, odourless, colourless and tasteless gas, so is difficult to detect. It is highly poisonous and deprives the body of oxygen. An individual is rendered completely helpless without warning and without feeling that he has fallen prey to carbon-monoxide and thus one may become unconscious during sleep and ultimately die.
Health experts say that poisoning can also result due to leakage of gas accidentally while using gas heaters in closed rooms. Experts say that heating systems should be used in a proper way.
People using coal as a source of heating should keep ventilation of rooms in a very good condition to avoid carbon-monoxide poisoning while users of gas heaters should keep water in rooms to maintain atmosphere humid.
Dr. Sohail Tariq, a medical specialist, expressed to ‘The News’ that everyone using heating system should take care, however, patients with heart diseases, asthmatics, pregnant women, children and elderly should take additional care as they may suffer severe complications. “Unsafe level of carbon-monoxide in a room causes chest pain or angina in patients with heart disease while smokers, young children, unborn babies and the elderly are particularly at higher risk,” he said.
Medical Specialist at Benazir Bhutto Hospital Dr. Muhammad Mujeeb Khan said that exposure to high levels of carbon-monoxide can cause carbon-monoxide poisoning. Its symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion etc while exposure to extremely high levels of carbon-monoxide can result in death, he said.
He said that suspected case of gas poisoning should be removed immediately from the source to the fresh air and evacuated to the nearest hospital. “Be careful about using gas heater, especially if anyone has heart disease, asthma, or is pregnant or elderly,” said Dr. Mujeeb.
Health experts say that many deaths due to carbon-monoxide poisoning can be avoided with the use of some simple safety measures. The room needs to be well ventilated. Keep internal doors and at least one window open to allow fresh air to enter the room. Check that room vents are not blocked. Never keep gas heaters on while going to sleep. Ensure that gas supply is disconnected from main supply line. Even the ‘pilot’ of the gas heater should not be kept ‘On’. If the gas leakage is suspected, it should be detected by gas smell or by sound of escaping gas and not by the application of naked lights.
Experts suggest that if the gas leakage is suspected, open doors and windows to ventilate the area, turn off all consumer safety shut off valves, never use any electrical switch to turn lights or fan on and report immediately to gas authorities.
With the onset of chilly weather, majority of people have started using heating systems to keep rooms warm though most of them are unaware of the preventive measures that must be taken to avoid complications and deaths caused by the heating systems when used improperly.
A severe cold wave has already gripped various parts of the country including twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Soon after setting in of winter, at least three persons suffocated to death here in Dhoke Kala Khan in town last week while two others were hospitalised due to complications caused by the heating system.
The incident convinced health experts to express their concern on the subject. Many health experts say that by using heating systems sensibly, a number of deaths and complications can be avoided.
It is important that a number of families suffocate to death in Pakistan every year during winter season because of using heating systems including gas heaters and burning of coal and wood without taking precautionary measures. Health experts say that there is a need for creating awareness among public on how to prevent complications and deaths while using heating systems.
Majority of people use heating systems including gas heaters extensively in evenings and nights. A number of persons die every year in the country due to keeping the gas heaters on for the whole night during sleep or by keeping rooms closed while using coal or wood as fuel.
It is important that all sorts of fuels, including gas, coal and wood produce carbon dioxide consuming oxygen from the atmosphere while burning. It causes lowering of oxygen level in the room if not properly ventilated. When the oxygen level lowers, the fuels start producing carbon-monoxide in the atmosphere which results in production of carboxy haemoglobin in the lungs cutting of the supply of oxygen to haemoglobin in the blood required for the process of respiration. The phenomenon causes suffocation which may lead to the unconsciousness and subsequently to death.
Carbon-monoxide is invisible, odourless, colourless and tasteless gas, so is difficult to detect. It is highly poisonous and deprives the body of oxygen. An individual is rendered completely helpless without warning and without feeling that he has fallen prey to carbon-monoxide and thus one may become unconscious during sleep and ultimately die.
Health experts say that poisoning can also result due to leakage of gas accidentally while using gas heaters in closed rooms. Experts say that heating systems should be used in a proper way.
People using coal as a source of heating should keep ventilation of rooms in a very good condition to avoid carbon-monoxide poisoning while users of gas heaters should keep water in rooms to maintain atmosphere humid.
Dr. Sohail Tariq, a medical specialist, expressed to ‘The News’ that everyone using heating system should take care, however, patients with heart diseases, asthmatics, pregnant women, children and elderly should take additional care as they may suffer severe complications. “Unsafe level of carbon-monoxide in a room causes chest pain or angina in patients with heart disease while smokers, young children, unborn babies and the elderly are particularly at higher risk,” he said.
Medical Specialist at Benazir Bhutto Hospital Dr. Muhammad Mujeeb Khan said that exposure to high levels of carbon-monoxide can cause carbon-monoxide poisoning. Its symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness, confusion etc while exposure to extremely high levels of carbon-monoxide can result in death, he said.
He said that suspected case of gas poisoning should be removed immediately from the source to the fresh air and evacuated to the nearest hospital. “Be careful about using gas heater, especially if anyone has heart disease, asthma, or is pregnant or elderly,” said Dr. Mujeeb.
Health experts say that many deaths due to carbon-monoxide poisoning can be avoided with the use of some simple safety measures. The room needs to be well ventilated. Keep internal doors and at least one window open to allow fresh air to enter the room. Check that room vents are not blocked. Never keep gas heaters on while going to sleep. Ensure that gas supply is disconnected from main supply line. Even the ‘pilot’ of the gas heater should not be kept ‘On’. If the gas leakage is suspected, it should be detected by gas smell or by sound of escaping gas and not by the application of naked lights.
Experts suggest that if the gas leakage is suspected, open doors and windows to ventilate the area, turn off all consumer safety shut off valves, never use any electrical switch to turn lights or fan on and report immediately to gas authorities.
Posted in: Islamabad
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