A 40-year-old local resident who works as a lorry driver was diagnosed with carbon monoxide (CO1) poisoning after repairing his motorbike in a warehouse on Beco dos Artilheiros, the Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement yesterday.
The man told the bureau that he rode his motorcycle to the warehouse to repair it at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, stressing that he had opened the door and windows while he was repairing the motorbike.
The statement noted that the man began to show symptoms of dizziness while he was repairing the motorbike, after which he realised that he might have inhaled exhaust fumes, so he went to the private Kiang Wu Hospital for emergency treatment, where he was diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning.
After treatment, he was advised to stay in the hospital for observation, the statement said, adding that he was in stable condition yesterday.
The bureau has notified the relevant entities to follow up on the incident, while urging the public to be careful during their personal activities, in order to prevent CO1 poisoning.
The statement pointed out that when suffering CO1 poisoning, one experiences dizziness, vomiting and fainting, and could even fall into a coma or die if the condition is severe.
The statement underlined that in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, people should never run their cars or petrol engine generators for a long time in unventilated places, such as car parks and vehicle workshops. The statement reminded people that in any activity involving fuel use, the environment must be ventilated, or appropriate personal protective equipment must be used, while maintaining personal safety awareness at all times.
The bureau urged those who believe that they are affected by carbon monoxide poisoning to stay calm, leave the place immediately, go to an open area, loosen their clothing and seek medical care promptly.
Image courtesy of Seattle Fire Department
