N.C. Division of Public Health March 2015
Carbon Monoxide Safety Bulletin
For EMS Personnel
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning may cause loss of consciousness, long-term adverse neurological symptoms and possibly even death.
Safety Reminders:
Always consider carbon monoxide as a potential cause and danger:
o when treating patients near carbon fueled (diesel, gas, propane, natural gas) equipment
o when treating patients in or near confined/enclosed areas
o if you begin to experience the same respiratory symptoms as the patient you are treating
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, be sure to move the patient to a safe location to ensure you and your patient’s safety.
Consider carrying a portable carbon monoxide monitor to alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide when treating patients.
Recent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Incidents in North Carolina:
Two farm employees were overcome with CO while using a propane powered forklift inside a trailer with no ventilation. One employee died, the other was seriously injured and 16 responders were taken to the hospital.
Eighteen construction workers renovating a grocery store experienced CO poisoning while using a propane powered tile cutter without adequate ventilation.
Sixteen restaurant employees experienced CO poisoning due to a problem with the HVAC system in the restaurant’s kitchen.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
For more information on carbon monoxide, visit http://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/oee/a_z/co or
contact the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at (919) 707-5900.
