Health
Carbon monoxide deaths are climbing, putting families in peril: ‘My son is lucky to be alive’
Usually dubbed “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless — it’s been proven to trigger extreme damage or demise in hours and even minutes.
Between 2009 and 2019, deaths from non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning have been on the rise, based on a brand new report launched by the U.S. Client Product Security Fee (CPSC) final month.
There have been 250 deaths associated to client merchandise in 2019, greater than in another 12 months within the report.
Some 40% of these deaths have been brought on by engine-driven instruments, together with turbines, energy washers and garden mowers.
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Heating techniques have been behind one other 28% of the deaths, the report stated.
‘One thing you’d by no means count on to occur’
Kristie Dusenberry, a mom and grandmother who lives along with her household on a farm in American Falls, Idaho, is aware of all too properly the devastating impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Her 21-year-old son, Brenden Dusenberry, practically died not too long ago when fumes crammed his small condominium.
About 4 months in the past, her son had moved to Iowa, the place he was dwelling in an condominium above his uncle’s storage.
“He was enthusiastic about dwelling nearer to associates and had began a brand new job,” Dusenberry instructed Fox Information Digital in an interview.
When just a few members of the family tried to name Dusenberry’s son over the weekend, nobody was capable of attain him.
Brenden Dusenberry, 21, from Idaho practically died not too long ago when fumes crammed his small condominium. He’s nonetheless recovering. (Kristie Dusenberry)
Round midnight on Sunday, Dusenberry bought a name from her niece, who additionally lives on the home.
“She stated Brenden was on the ground within the toilet, couldn’t really feel his left facet and was throwing up,” she stated. “Nobody had seen or heard from him for greater than 24 hours.”
When first responders arrived, they suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Exams confirmed dangerously excessive ranges within the room the place Dusenberry’s son was discovered.
“They did say that every one the carbon monoxide is gone — however all of the injury it brought about will not be.”
Over the following few hours, Dusenberry slowly pieced collectively what had occurred.
Her son had gotten very sick over the course of the day, then wakened in the midst of the evening with extreme thirst. When he tried to get away from bed, his whole left facet had gone utterly numb.
“Brenden fell and hit his head on a dresser, then tumbled down the steps to the lavatory, and that is the place they discovered him,” Dusenberry defined.
Brenden Dusenberry, 21, is pictured together with his siblings (left). He is proven within the hospital after he was poisoned by carbon monoxide (proper). (Kristie Dusenberry)
The supply of the fumes was a brand new heater for the outside swimming pool, which had simply been attached and was saved within the storage beneath the room the place Dusenberry’s son was dwelling.
One thing had malfunctioned with the heater — inflicting carbon monoxide to fill the air.
One of many medical doctors instructed Dusenberry that carbon monoxide is lighter than air.
“It truly floats and may undergo sheet rock, or via any crack within the wall,” she stated.
‘Fortunate to be alive’
Whereas Dusenberry realizes her son is fortunate to be alive, she worries about his lengthy and unsure street to restoration.
“Brenden’s coronary heart will not be totally working proper now,” she instructed Fox Information Digital. “His lungs have been infected when he bought to the hospital, and he needed to be put in a hyperbaric chamber to extend his oxygen ranges.”
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Hyperbaric oxygen remedy is typically used for individuals who have reasonable to extreme carbon monoxide poisoning as a method of decreasing the long-term cognitive results. That is based on Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, medical toxicologist and co-medical director on the Nationwide Capital Poison Heart in Washington, D.C.
“Individuals who have confusion, coronary heart rhythm abnormalities or different proof of coronary heart injury, and different severe indicators or signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, are potential candidates for hyperbaric oxygen remedy,” she instructed Fox Information Digital.
Brenden Dusenberry, 21, who skilled carbon monoxide poisoning simply final week, will get some bodily remedy within the hospital. (Kristie Dusenberry)
The medical doctors additionally realized that Dusenberry’s son’s kidneys weren’t functioning accurately, which meant he needed to obtain dialysis remedies.
“Brenden additionally has nerve injury on the left facet of his physique, and the medical doctors stated it might take as much as a 12 months earlier than he can use his left arm once more,” Dusenberry stated.
“He nonetheless can’t stroll, and he can’t preserve any meals or fluids down.”
She added, “They did say that every one the carbon monoxide is gone — however all of the injury it brought about will not be.”
How carbon monoxide impacts the physique
Dr. Dung Trinh, a mind well being skilled and proprietor of The Wholesome Mind Clinic in Lengthy Seaside, California, stated essentially the most harmful outcomes of carbon monoxide poisoning can embody demise, everlasting organ injury and long-term neurological results.
“Carbon monoxide is a poisonous fuel that may bind to hemoglobin within the blood, decreasing its capability to hold oxygen, resulting in tissue hypoxia and injury to very important organs,” he instructed Fox Information Digital through electronic mail.
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In circumstances the place carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly, Trinh stated the precise explanation for demise is commonly associated to extreme tissue hypoxia (low ranges of oxygen within the tissues) and injury to the mind, coronary heart or lungs, which might result in respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or different life-threatening problems.
Annually, carbon monoxide poisoning claims at the least 420 lives.
The consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning can differ, relying on the severity of the publicity and particular person elements, the physician defined.
“In some circumstances, with immediate and applicable medical therapy, the consequences could also be reversible, whereas in different circumstances, they could be everlasting,” he stated.
Sure individuals could also be at a better danger of dying or not recovering totally from carbon monoxide poisoning, corresponding to infants, aged people, pregnant ladies and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac circumstances, the physician stated.
Lengthy-term cognitive results
Those that survive carbon monoxide poisoning could expertise hostile long-term results.
“These can embody neurological signs like reminiscence issues, issue concentrating and temper modifications, in addition to respiratory and cardiac points, relying on the severity and period of publicity,” Trinh stated.
Daybreak Quintana, 56, proven right here, skilled carbon monoxide poisoning at her office in 2013. She nonetheless experiences cognitive deficits at present. (Daybreak Quintana)
Daybreak Quintana, a 56-year-old former IT employee in Lake Level, Utah, skilled carbon monoxide poisoning at her office in 2013, when equipment was getting used inside with all of the doorways and home windows closed.
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After repeated each day publicity — 10 hours a day, 5 days every week, for 90 days — Quintana was recurrently experiencing extreme flu-like signs and misplaced her sense of style.
When she was lastly examined on the hospital, her ranges of publicity have been dangerously excessive.
To at the present time, even after seven years of remedy, Quintana nonetheless experiences the lingering cognitive results of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical intervention.”
“Generally I do know what I wish to say, however it does not come out,” she instructed Fox Information Digital in an electronic mail.
She additionally struggles with studying: “I can take a look at one thing and browse it silently simply effective, but when I attempt to learn out loud, the letters begin to fall away from the web page and the left facet of the web page goes clean.”
Quintana has not been capable of return to work. She will not take a look at pc screens with out getting dizzy and nauseated. Her relationships with family and friends have suffered.
“The battle that I’m going via each day — the lack of dignity — I might not want it upon my worst enemy,” she stated.
Safeguarding towards carbon monoxide poisoning
Annually, carbon monoxide poisoning claims the lives of at the least 420 individuals and sends greater than 100,000 individuals to emergency rooms within the U.S. annually, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
“Carbon monoxide detectors may be bought for about $20.”
The excellent news is that it’s 100% preventable.
“Some methods for security and precaution towards carbon monoxide poisoning embody common upkeep and inspection of fuel-burning home equipment, correct air flow in enclosed areas, utilizing carbon monoxide detectors and avoiding using fuel-burning home equipment indoors or in enclosed areas with out correct air flow,” Trinh stated.
Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives
You might not be capable of see, scent or style carbon monoxide — however a working carbon monoxide detector can allow you to “hear” it, stated Johnson-Arbor.
“Carbon monoxide detectors may be bought for [about] $20 at big-box retailers, dwelling enchancment shops and even on Amazon,” she instructed Fox Information Digital.
Residential carbon monoxide detectors may be plugged into {an electrical} outlet or may be hard-wired into a house’s electrical system. (iStock)
Residential carbon monoxide detectors may be plugged into {an electrical} outlet or may be hard-wired into a house’s electrical system, Johnson-Arbor stated.
Consultants advocate having a carbon monoxide detector put in inside 10 ft of each sleeping space.
“As a result of carbon monoxide poisoning could cause extreme sleepiness, it’s necessary to have a detector put in inside 10 ft of each sleeping space of your private home,” she stated.
Moreover, she recommends bringing a conveyable carbon monoxide detector when touring, as a result of some inns or trip leases could not have them put in.
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For plug-in detectors, the batteries must be changed each six months or after any extended energy outage.
“By no means ignore an alarming carbon monoxide detector,” Johnson-Arbor added. “These gadgets can save your life.”
Yr-round risk — not simply in winter
Whereas many individuals affiliate carbon monoxide poisoning as a danger in the course of the winter months on account of malfunctioning furnaces and lack of air flow, precautions must be taken year-round, warned Johnson-Arbor.
“Throughout the summer time months, individuals may be poisoned by carbon monoxide from defective swimming pool heaters, indoor use of barbecue grills, gas-powered garments dryers and different gear,” she instructed Fox Information Digital.
When you suspect a case of carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s essential to right away evacuate the affected space and search medical consideration directly, Trinh stated.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical intervention,” he added.
Though Mr. Kennedy’s embrace of recovery farms may be novel, the concept stretches back almost a century. In 1935, the government opened the United States Narcotic Farm in Lexington, Ky., to research and treat addiction. Over the years, residents included Chet Baker and William S. Burroughs (who portrayed the institution in his novel, “Junkie: Confessions of an Unredeemed Drug Addict”). The program had high relapse rates and was tainted by drug experiments on human subjects. By 1975, as local treatment centers began to proliferate around the country, the program closed.
In America, therapeutic communities for addiction treatment became popular in the 1960s and ’70s. Some, like Synanon, became notorious for cultlike, abusive environments. There are now perhaps 3,000 worldwide, researchers estimate, including one that Mr. Kennedy has also praised — San Patrignano, an Italian program whose centerpiece is a highly regarded bakery, staffed by residents.
“If we do go down the road of large government-funded therapeutic communities, I’d want to see some oversight to ensure they live up to modern standards,” said Dr. Sabet, who is now president of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions. “We should get rid of the false dichotomy, too, between these approaches and medications, since we know they can work together for some people.”
Should Mr. Kennedy be confirmed, his authority to establish healing farms would be uncertain. Building federal treatment farms in “depressed rural areas,” as he said in his documentary, presumably on public land, would hit political and legal roadblocks. Fully legalizing and taxing cannabis to pay for the farms would require congressional action.
In the concluding moments of the documentary, Mr. Kennedy invoked Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist whose views on spirituality influenced Alcoholics Anonymous. Dr. Jung, he said, felt that “people who believed in God got better faster and that their recovery was more durable and enduring than people who didn’t.”
The debate about the benefits and risks of fluoride is ongoing, as RFK Jr. — incoming President Trump’s pick for HHS secretary — pushes to remove it from the U.S. water supply.
“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease,” RFK wrote in a post on X in November.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics on Jan. 6 found another correlation between fluoride exposure and children’s IQs.
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Study co-author Kyla Taylor, PhD, who is based in North Carolina, noted that fluoridated water has been used “for decades” to reduce dental cavities and improve oral health.
Fluoride exposure has been linked to a variety of negative health effects, yet benefits oral health. (iStock)
“However, there is concern that pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from many sources, including drinking water, water-added foods and beverages, teas, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash, and that their total fluoride exposure is too high and may affect fetal, infant and child neurodevelopment,” she told Fox News Digital.
The new research, led by scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), analyzed 74 epidemiological studies on children’s IQ and fluoride exposure.
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The studies measured fluoride in drinking water and urine across 10 countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. (None were conducted in the U.S.)
The meta-analysis found a “statistically significant association” between higher fluoride exposure and lower children’s IQ scores, according to Taylor.
“[It showed] that the more fluoride a child is exposed to, the more likely that child’s IQ will be lower than if they were not exposed,” she said.
Scientists found a “statistically significant association” between higher fluoride exposure and lower children’s IQ scores. (iStock)
These results were consistent with six previous meta-analyses, all of which reported the same “statistically significant inverse associations” between fluoride exposure and children’s IQs, Taylor emphasized.
The research found that for every 1mg/L increase in urinary fluoride, there was a 1.63-point decrease in IQ.
‘Safe’ exposure levels
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established 1.5mg/L as the “upper safe limit” of fluoride in drinking water.
“There is concern that pregnant women and children are getting fluoride from many sources.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends a fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L in drinking water.
“There was not enough data to determine if 0.7 mg/L of fluoride exposure in drinking water affected children’s IQs,” Taylor noted.
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Higher levels of the chemical can be found in wells and community water serving nearly three million people in the U.S., the researcher noted.
She encouraged pregnant women and parents of small children to be mindful of their total fluoride intake.
Nearly three million people have access to wells and community water with fluoride levels above the levels suggested by the World Health Organization. (iStock)
“If their water is fluoridated, they may wish to replace tap water with low-fluoride bottled water, like purified water, and limit exposure from other sources, such as dental products or black tea,” she said.
“Parents can use low-fluoride bottled water to mix with powdered infant formula and limit use of fluoridated toothpaste by young children.”
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
While the research did not intend to address broader public health implications of water fluoridation in the U.S., Taylor suggested that the findings could help inform future research into the impact of fluoride on children’s health.
Dental health expert shares cautions
In response to this study and other previous research, Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, an oral health educator based in Austin, Texas, told Fox News Digital that she does not support water fluoridation.
The study researcher encouraged parents of small children to be mindful of their total fluoride intake. (iStock)
“I join those who vehemently oppose public water fluoridation, and I question why our water supplies are still fluoridated in the 21st century,” she wrote in an email.
“There are non-fluoridated cities and countries where the public enjoy high levels of oral health, which in some cases appear better than those that are fluoridated.”
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Phillips called the fluoride debate “confusing” even among dentists, as the American Dental Association (ADA) advocates for fluoride use for cavity prevention through water fluoridation, toothpaste and mouthwash — “sometimes in high concentrations.”
Fluoride is used in water, toothpaste and mouthwash to help prevent cavities. (iStock)
“[But] biologic (holistic) dentists generally encourage their patients to fear fluoride and avoid its use entirely, even if their teeth are ravaged by tooth decay,” she said.
“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks.”
Phillips encouraged the public to consider varying fluoride compounds, the effect of different concentrations and the “extreme difference” between applying fluoride topically and ingesting it.
“Topical fluoride is beneficial, while systemic consumption poses risks,” she cautioned.
“Individuals must take charge of their own oral health using natural and informed strategies.”
The study received funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Intramural Research Program.
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