Faculty Collaboration Database

Carbon monoxide detector effectiveness in reducing poisoning, Wisconsin 2014-2016. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020 Dec;58(12):1335-1341

Date

03/13/2020

Pubmed ID

32163299

DOI

10.1080/15563650.2020.1733592

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85081742765 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   10 Citations

Abstract

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and nonirritating gas. The most common exposures are from gas powered appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and vehicles. To prevent poisoning, CO detectors with audible alarms were developed. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CO detectors in reducing poisoning in Wisconsin.Methods: Records were queried from National Poison Data System for unintentional CO exposures that occurred in residences in Wisconsin during 2014-2016 (N = 703). After applying sample exclusion criteria, notes were abstracted for cases where CO detector use was mentioned (n = 408). Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between having a CO detector alarm and CO poisoning. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between having a CO detector alarm and poisoning severity.Results: In logistic models, odds of CO poisoning were 3.2 times higher (95% CI: 1.5, 6.9) among those who had no CO detector compared to those who had a CO detector that alarmed. In linear models, not having a CO detector was associated with a 0.34 point (95% CI: 0.17, 0.54) change in outcome severity score compared to having a CO detector that alarmed.Discussion: Individuals who were exposed to CO in the absence of a CO detector were more likely to be poisoned and to have more severe medical outcomes than those that had a CO detector that alarmed.

Author List

Christensen GM, Creswell PD, Theobald J, Meiman JG

Author

Jillian Lee Theobald MD, PhD Associate Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Air Pollution, Indoor
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Household Articles
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Models, Theoretical
Protective Devices
Severity of Illness Index
Wisconsin
Young Adult