NEW YORK, Dec 17 (Reuters Health) -- While carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
is usually associated with cars or faulty furnaces, warehouse workers may be at
risk as well. Forklifts used in manufacturing plants may spew out the deadly,
odorless gas, possibly poisoning workers in poorly ventilated warehouses or
adjoining offices, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC).
What's more, the symptoms of CO poisoning -- headaches, nausea and
dizziness -- often masquerade as other illnesses and may be misdiagnosed. CO is
a colorless, odorless gas released as a byproduct of incomplete fuel combustion.
In one case in 1998, 75 workers at a plastic manufacturing plant suffered
from headaches, dizziness and weakness. Of the 10 who went to emergency rooms
for treatment, many were misdiagnosed -- some with migraines, others considered
to have had a fainting episode.
The cause of the outbreak? High levels of CO emitted by forklifts,
compounded by a malfunction in an exhaust fan were found to be the culprit.
People exposed to CO can be treated in a hyperbaric chamber if their
illness is recognized, according to the CDC report.
"CO poisoning associated with indoor combustion sources has long been
recognized but continues to be a problem in the United States," according to the
report. "The events described in this report illustrate factors that result in
failure to adequately prevent CO poisoning and to promptly recognize such
incidents when they occur."
