The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday that two people were diagnosed with carbon monoxide (CO1) poisoning on Saturday after showering.
According to the statement, a 26-year-old local woman was showering in her flat in Tong Wa San Chun in Areia Preta at around 7:30 p.m. The statement pointed out that she felt dizzy, fatigue, had blurred vision and a headache while showering, adding that she fainted as soon as she stepped out of the shower. After being roused by her mother, the statement said, she was able to take the taxi to the private Kiang Wu Hospital for medical treatment. The statement pointed out that she was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning and was hospitalised for further treatment. The statement underlined that the gas heater is installed in the flat’s kitchen, which is also connected to the bathroom. The statement said that as there are no windows in the bathroom, the toxicity accumulated and caused the incident.
Meanwhile, a 13-year-old local boy also felt unwell after showering in a flat in Fu Lei Wa Building near Lou Lim Ioc Garden. The statement said that on Saturday at around noon, he started to feel nauseous and fell over and injured his head in the shower due to the dizziness. The statement said that his family moved him out of the shower and rushed him to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre. The statement noted that he was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning and was transferred to Kiang Wu Hospital for further treatment. The statement said that the gas heater in the bathroom has a ventilation pipe and the window in the bathroom was only opened a third of the way when the incident occurred. The statement pointed out that the case was caused by poor ventilation.
The statement reminded residents that when suffering carbon monoxide poisoning, one experiences dizziness, vomiting and fainting, a condition that is potentially fatal. The bureau stressed that when using gas appliances, one must ensure that the area is well ventilated as otherwise carbon monoxide could collect.
The statement noted that there are ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, such as ensuring that the room is ventilated, choosing quality gas appliances and using them properly, and installing carbon monoxide alarms in rooms that have gas appliances. The statement urged those affected by carbon monoxide poisoning to stay calm, leave the room immediately and go to an open area, loosen one’s clothing and seek medical help promptly.
Image courtesy of Seattle Fire Department
