Officials warn residents to
be on alert for ‘silent killer’
Recent incident
of carbon monoxide poisoning prompts alert
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Eliza Donne, 9, of South Brunswick relaxes at the New Jersey Folk Festival on the Douglass College campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick on Saturday.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — A township woman discovered just how potent carbon monoxide could be last week.
According to police, Sylvia Aubee, 39, and her 5-year-old son fell ill in their Ivy Way home during the day on April 23. While speaking to another family member on the phone later in the day, Aubee collapsed.
Fire and police at the scene determined that carbon monoxide levels in the home were 110 parts per million. The normal level in a home is about 5 parts per million, according to police.
Aubee was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for treatment. She was released the next day.
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Ursula Cozzolino of Old Bridge holds her granddaughter, Gianna Servidio, after the walk-a-thon sponsored by the Natural Helpers Club of East Brunswick High School Saturday. The event, which was held at the high school, raised money for township families who were affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
South Brunswick police spokesman Detective Jim Ryan said Wednesday that police believe the faulty installation of a furnace filter at the home caused the toxic buildup.
"The filter in the furnace was put in wrong," Ryan said.
The home did not have a carbon monoxide detector, according to Ryan.
Every year more than 450 people die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, according to police.
Ryan said the department responds to about a dozen alarms in the township each year, but most are false alarms.
Township Fire Marshal Bob Davidson said that some of the older carbon monoxide detectors have a lower sensitivity than more recent models, and may detect nontoxic levels.
"They are more sensitive," Davidson said.
According to Davidson, levels of 35-50 parts per million are the top of what is allowed at the workplace during a 40-hour week. That may be too high for the home, however.
"You spend more time in your home," Davidson said.
Davidson said that detectors are recommended, and can be purchased at many home improvement stores or even directly from utility companies.
Davidson said that battery-operated models run about $20 and directly wired models are more expensive.
Davidson said that the lack of fresh air in combustion creates the buildup of the gas.
Faulty furnaces, blocked chimneys and flues are some of the causes for the problem, Davidson said.
"Today’s homes are very air tight," Davidson said.
The fire marshal also said that many people don’t realize that various heat-generating appliances need fresh air from the room to function properly.
When that air supply is in an enclosed area, not enough oxygen makes it to the combustion area, and carbon monoxide starts to build up.
"They need the air," Davidson said.
Appliances like furnaces, hot water heaters, dryers, and even cooking on the stove can cause the buildup, according to Davidson.
To prevent a buildup of the toxic gas, Davidson recommends cleaning heat-generating appliances, and making sure that proper ventilation is in place and not obstructed.
Davidson said that symptoms for the poisoning may start with flushed skin, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
The buildup can be fatal if undetected.
"Your body absorbs it faster than it can get rid of it," Davidson said.
Davidson also said that levels in a home can increase during some holidays.
"It is not unusual to get higher levels during the holidays with all the cooking," Davidson said.
Anyone who would like more information may call the Fire Safety Department at (732) 329-4000, ext. 214.