Beware of the 'Silent Killer' That Quietly Strangles Your Breath

Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters Implements Measures to Prevent Gas Poisoning Accidents

Gas boiler. [Image source=Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters plans to implement safety accident prevention measures to protect the lives of residents from the "silent killer."

According to the provincial fire headquarters on the 13th, there have been consecutive fatal accidents recently caused by carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) poisoning, known as silent assassins.

On the 7th, one person died due to a malfunction of the carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system in the substation of an automobile parts factory in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and on the 9th, most of a family attending an elderly mother's birthday in Muju, Jeonbuk, were poisoned by carbon monoxide, resulting in a tragedy.

Chief Kim Jong-geun said, "Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide leakage accidents are difficult to detect because they have no smell or visible smoke, so active accident prevention is necessary."

According to the provincial fire headquarters, both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are colorless and odorless.

Even small amounts can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, and in severe cases, suffocation.

If the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air exceeds 1%, death can occur within 5 minutes, and if carbon dioxide exceeds 17%, death can occur within 1 minute.

According to the fire headquarters' dispatch statistics, from 2019 to 2021, there were 28 gas poisoning accidents in the province excluding cases of extreme self-harm.

Fifteen cases, accounting for 53% of the total, occurred in residences, while five cases, or 18%, occurred in industrial facilities.

The fire headquarters pointed out that as the weather gets colder, the use of home boilers and heating devices at camping and outdoor sites increases, which may lead to a rise in carbon monoxide poisoning accidents.

Preventive measures for carbon monoxide poisoning include ▲installing boilers and water heaters in well-ventilated areas ▲checking for gaps in exhaust pipe connections ▲sealing gaps with heat-resistant tape ▲inspecting and removing foreign substances inside.

They also urged regular ventilation when using charcoal, ethanol stoves, or butane gas heaters indoors at camping or outdoor sites.

An official said, "It is also a good precaution to have carbon monoxide detectors or oxygen concentration meters indoors."

The provincial fire headquarters revealed that since 2001, there have been 12 carbon dioxide leakage accidents nationwide, resulting in 13 deaths and 77 injuries.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishing systems extinguish fires by releasing carbon dioxide into protected areas to suffocate and cool the fire. They are mainly installed in places where water-based extinguishing is difficult or where water contact increases danger, such as electrical, communication, and computer rooms.

A fire headquarters official emphasized, "To prevent carbon dioxide leakage accidents, carbon dioxide extinguishing systems should be installed in unoccupied areas, and evacuation routes in protected zones should be secured in advance."

They also stated that regular training should be conducted for inspectors and workers on ▲the dangers of carbon dioxide extinguishing systems ▲evacuation methods during fire alarms ▲evacuation locations ▲manual operation box handling ▲and how to wear breathing apparatus.

Use of low-risk extinguishing agents such as halon, halogen compounds, and inert gases, which are less dangerous than carbon dioxide, was also recommended.

An official explained, "Although they are not free from suffocation or toxicity risks, their toxicity is not as severe as carbon dioxide, and the allowable exposure time is longer, so if action is taken quickly, there is enough time to evacuate."

The provincial fire headquarters plans to prevent gas poisoning accidents in the province by ▲conducting safety inspections of boilers, electricity, and gas for vulnerable groups ▲promoting the distribution of carbon monoxide detectors ▲producing and distributing related promotional materials ▲installing protective devices on manual operation boxes ▲adding odorants to extinguishing agents for detection by smell ▲and improving safety device operating pressure standards.

They will conduct group training and send safety guideline notices to 813 workplaces with gas extinguishing systems installed in the province and to fire facility companies.

Chief Kim said, "When using heating devices, thoroughly inspect exhaust ducts beforehand, and when working in places with carbon dioxide extinguishing systems installed, familiarize yourself with the safety manual in advance and secure evacuation routes beforehand."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.