Generator fumes: The silent killer
Just this year alone there has been at least three reported incidents of death due to inhaling of generator fumes. On February 5, 2015, the Daily Graphic reported the death of two lovers as a result of poisoning by generator fumes. On March 22, 2015, a man and his two children died from the same cause.
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The latest was a case reported in the Daily Graphic of Tuesday, July 28, 2015 where two people died at Duase because they inhaled excessive fumes from a generator set. This is not new.
In Maryland, USA, a family of seven was confirmed dead from carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator.
Death by generator fumes is becoming very worrying. In all cases, the reports are always similar: people go to bed with their generators on, nobody hears anything, nobody feels anything and the next morning they are dead.
Given the erratic power supply from the national grid, the use of generators has become part of the normal supply of lighting and power for households and workplaces in urban areas. It is, therefore, necessary for users to be aware of the dangers and the precautions they can take to avoid any eventualities.
The fumes from generators contain carbon monoxide which is an odourless, colourless, tasteless gas that is produced as a result of incomplete combustion from fuels.
Carbon monoxide can also be produced from incomplete combustion from gas stoves, lanterns, charcoal grills, gas ranges, gas dryers, hot water heaters, automobiles and heating systems.
Generator fumes are extremely hazardous as they build up in enclosed areas and can cause sudden illness or death by weakening the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to organs and body tissues.
Poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO). Exposure at 100 parts per million (ppm) or greater is dangerous to human health.
It causes adverse effects in humans by combining with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO) in the blood. Since the gas cannot be seen or smelled, people often don’t know they are breathing it and so can lead to poisoning in few minutes.
Although anyone who uses a generator is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, infants, women who are pregnant and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with heart or breathing problems are most at risk.
It also affects pets. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are dizziness, drowsiness, severe headache, weakness, nausea and confusion. If you experience any of these, get out of the house and seek medical attention immediately.
Safety precautions for carbon hazards:
• Exhaust systems of generators must be properly installed, with adequate ventilation provided to ensure unobstructed flow of air, and emissions directed away from inhabited zones.
• The area around the generator must be clean and free of any combustible material that can be hazardous.
• Never use a generator inside a home or outside near an open window, but rather place at least 3 metres from the home and in a well-ventilated area.
• Never use generators or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices such as grills or heaters inside your home, in a garage, in an enclosed area or outside near an open window.
• Never run an automobile in an enclosed space such as garage.
• Users of generators can also install carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom and sleeping areas; and ensure the alarms' batteries are changed regularly.
The writer is a civil engineer, Writer’s email:[email protected]
