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CONTRACTORS CAUTIONED ON INDOOR USE OF GASOLINE-POWERED TOOLS Recent Incident Highlights Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The Allegheny County Health Department is cautioning contractors and others about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning when using gasoline-powered engines indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. The warning was prompted by a recent incident at a local strip mall where a contractor using a gasoline-powered concrete cutting saw in a vacant storefront set off carbon monoxide alarms in an adjacent day care center for children. The alarms sounded before carbon monoxide reached a harmful level, and the building was evacuated as a precaution until tests determined it was safe to reoccupy. Other gasoline-powered equipment such as high-pressure washers, floor buffers, power trowels, welders, pumps, compressors and generators also can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide within minutes when used indoors, even in areas that may appear to be well ventilated. Opening doors and windows or operating fans does not guarantee safety. Such equipment should never be used indoors or in confined spaces, unless the engine itself that releases exhaust fumes is kept outdoors and away from the building's air intakes so the exhaust is not drawn inside, exposing people to potentially harmful levels of carbon monoxide. Health officials suggest substituting equipment that does not produce carbon monoxide when working indoors, such as tools powered by electricity or compressed air. If such equipment is unavailable or can't be used safely, gasoline-powered tools should be used only if their exhaust units are placed outdoors at a safe distance from the building. As an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, carbon monoxide can overcome exposed persons with no warning. Often there is little time before poisoning victims experience symptoms that limit their ability to seek help.
Any of the following symptoms may occur within minutes of carbon monoxide exposure: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, loss of hearing, blurry vision, vomiting, disorientation, seizures, unconsciousness, coma, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Includes New Vaccination Requirements for 2008-2009 The Allegheny County Health Department is urging parents to protect their children and those around them by making sure they have all the vaccinations needed for the upcoming school year. "Immunizations are a very safe and effective way to keep children healthy and in school," said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon. "When a child is not fully immunized, he or she is at increased risk of not only getting a serious disease but also having their education disrupted." Vaccinations are available free of charge at the Health Department's office at 3441 Forbes Avenue in Oakland, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays, from 1 to 8 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who should bring their immunization records. The clinic offers all of the required vaccines, including those that take effect in the 2008-2009 school year, such as meningitis and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccinations in grades 7 through 12 and an extra dose of mumps and chickenpox vaccines in kindergarten through 12. In addition, already existing school immunization requirements were streamlined to apply across the board in kindergarten through 12th grade instead of only in certain grade levels. Under Allegheny County's new school immunization requirements, all public, private, parochial, cyber and home-schooled students must have the following vaccinations: K – 12, four doses of tetanus/diphtheria (one after the 4th birthday) or three doses when the series is started after 7 years old; three doses of polio and hepatitis B; two doses of measles and mumps; two doses of chickenpox or a history of the disease; and one dose of rubella. 7 – 12, one dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis administered in a single shot and one dose of meningitis vaccine. The new requirements have been endorsed by the Allegheny County Immunization Coalition, a group of 43 local health organizations and educational institutions committed to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
For more information about the school immunization requirements, please call the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-ACHD.
Good Hygiene and Proper Food Handling Keys to Food Safety With a new school year getting under way, the Allegheny County Health Department is offering parents tips on how to pack their children a safe school lunch.
Health officials recommend the following food safety precautions:
Enjoy the Warmth & Beauty of the Fire While Avoiding Air Quality Problems The Allegheny County Health Department is cautioning people who use outdoor wood burners such as fire pits, fireplaces and "chimineas" to minimize their emissions and avoid air quality problems. "These products have become increasingly popular in recent years and that means with the arrival of fall and cooler weather people are more likely to use them for warmth or simply to enjoy the beauty of a wood fire as they spend time outdoors," said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon.
While County air quality regulations generally allow such outdoor wood burning units under the category of recreational burning, the following requirements apply to their use:
Health officials suggest that people also check with their municipality to see whether any local ordinances may prohibit or regulate the use of outdoor wood burning units in their community.
Complaints about excessive smoke and odor emissions from such equipment may be reported to the Health Department by calling 412-687-ACHD.
Poorly Maintained or Malfunctioning Heating Systems Are Often to Blame As another heating season begins, the Allegheny County Health Department is joining with the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Coalition of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to remind residents about the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that is the by-product of incomplete combustion of a fuel. Hundreds die each year nationwide from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, but most deaths could be prevented through greater awareness and education. Twelve accidental poisonings were reported countywide during last year's heating season, October 1 through May 31. Ten poisonings, including two deaths, were associated with heating systems or vehicles left running in enclosed spaces. Two poisonings, including one death, were linked to the improper use of gasoline-powered generators. Common sources of carbon monoxide are a malfunctioning or incorrectly vented furnace, hot water heater, space heater, fireplace, cooking stove or other type of fuel-burning equipment. Misusing a charcoal grill or a cooking stove to warm a house and leaving a car, van or truck running in an attached or integral garage are other possible carbon monoxide sources. To prevent carbon monoxide problems, furnaces and fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected before each heating season. Carbon monoxide home alarms can help as well, but are not foolproof and no substitute for regular furnace maintenance. Carbon monoxide poisoning may include any of the following symptoms: headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, loss of hearing, blurry vision, vomiting, disorientation, seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Everyone is at risk, but individuals with health problems such as heart or lung diseases, the elderly, infants, children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Anyone who experiences symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should leave the premises and immediately call 911. The Carbon Monoxide Awareness Coalition (C-MAC) is offering a free brochure entitled "What You Should Know To Protect Your Family From Carbon Monoxide." The brochure is available through the Allegheny County Health Department by calling 412-687-ACHD or visiting its web site at www.achd.net.
C-MAC is a voluntary community service group that includes emergency, fire and health officials, natural gas utilities; instrument testing companies; and heating contractors.
Elderly, Infants, Young Children and Chronically Ill Are Especially at Risk With the arrival of winter's frigid weather, the Allegheny County Health Department is urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from hypothermia, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when body temperature drops below 95 degrees. While hypothermia normally occurs outdoors in subfreezing weather, it can also happen at home when there is no heat or the thermostat is turned down too low. Even room temperatures as high as the 60's may not be enough to protect some people from hypothermia. Hypothermia affects the brain as well as the body, leaving a person unable to think clearly and move easily. Since victims may not always realize what is happening and be able to protect themselves, it is important that family, friends and neighbors recognize and respond to warning signs, especially in those who live alone. Symptoms of hypothermia include confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion, shivering, slurred speech and trembling hands. Especially at risk are the elderly, infants, young children, and people with heart disease, respiratory ailments, circulatory or neurological problems, hypothyroidism, depression, diabetes, dementia and mental illness. Certain medications as well as heavy consumption of alcohol increase the risk of hypothermia. While people never should stop taking medication without their doctor's approval, they should ask if any precautions should be taken to avoid hypothermia.
Health officials offer the following tips to prevent hypothermia:
Thirty-one hypothermia deaths occurred in the County from 2000 through 2006, an average of a little more than four per year and the vast majority occurring during the winter months. |
