I have several times on this blog preached about the delayed effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure, “Delayed Neurological Sequelae” or DNS, but a recent study confirms that an early study that cardiac or heart damage from carbon monoxide exposure can occur years down the road. Click here for more on DNS.
While the study comes from an unusual source in the field of Medicine, Iran, the basics of the study seem legitimate. For more on this story, click here.
The suggestion of such potential raises continuing challenges for those in the field of trying to recover compensation for those in the civil justice arena. If someone has a heart attack or cardiac damage years after exposure, what is thought to be the limitation of time in which one can sue, may have run. However, in most states, the statute of limitations does not run until there has been a discovery of the damage from the wrongdoing. While this is not a clear cut situation, it may in fact be possible to bring a lawsuit many years after the exposure, if it can be clearly demonstrated that there was wrongdoing involved; that the heart disease could be logically linked to the carbon monoxide exposure; and that the plaintiff had no notice of the actual injury which manifested itself down the road.
Our law firm had an excellent result this year in a case where a seizure disorder manifested itself after a nominal settlement of an auto accident case. We settled for a mid six figure amount, even though the case wasn’t filed until 4 years after the accident, and 3.5 years after the case was initially settled for a sum around $25,000.
The critical issue to remember when there is someone with carbon monoxide exposure is that WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) does not apply. Even the neurological symptoms can take 40 days to mature, and heart disease potentially long term. If you have been exposed, monitor your health closely, long term. That monitoring should looks especially closely at not just the brain, but the heart as well.
Another Pennsylvania Carbon Monoxide Exposure
It is probably just the perception from what makes the national news, but Pennsylvania seems to be the hardest hit this winter for Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The latest story to make news on Carbon monoxide exposure takes place in Altoona, PA, where a family of 5 was treated for exposure. The family was exposed to a CO level of 500 ppm, as opposed to what is considered a safe level of 9 ppm. That is more than 50 times a safe level. For more on this story, click here.
One of the disturbing parts to the story is that the the carbon monoxide levels were so high, that the smoke detectors were going off. Smoke detectors are not designed to detect even lethal levels of carbon monoxide, as it is not have the type of substance that leaves a tangible particulate in the air, which is what sets off smoke detectors.
Again, as always, I would remind everyone that a clean bill of health from hospital officials on the day of exposure, does not assure that there may not be long term health consequences. This is especially true with small children and older people. This family had a three year old and a two year old. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause a delay neurological symptoms DNS, which can appear 2 to 40 days after the exposure. For more information on DNS, click here.
One of the disturbing parts to the story is that the the carbon monoxide levels were so high, that the smoke detectors were going off. Smoke detectors are not designed to detect even lethal levels of carbon monoxide, as it is not have the type of substance that leaves a tangible particulate in the air, which is what sets off smoke detectors.
Again, as always, I would remind everyone that a clean bill of health from hospital officials on the day of exposure, does not assure that there may not be long term health consequences. This is especially true with small children and older people. This family had a three year old and a two year old. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause a delay neurological symptoms DNS, which can appear 2 to 40 days after the exposure. For more information on DNS, click here.
EDITORS NOTE: While the primary focus of this blog is carbon monoxide poisoning, all toxic exposures are relevant herein. The same type of issues that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, can cause immediate fire or explosion risk, as per these gas connectors recalled today.
GSJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2008
Release #08-205 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 545-5230 x2345
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
LDR Industries Recalls Gas Connectors Due to Fire and Explosion Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: LDR 1200 Series Gas Connectors
Units: About 50,000
Importer: LDR Industries Inc., of Chicago, Ill.
Manufacturer: Sai lin Ke, of Beijing, China
Hazard: The gas connectors can leak propane or natural gas, posing a fire and explosion hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled LDR series 1200 gas connectors have 3/8 inch fine thread nuts attached. The connectors are used primarily with gas space heaters. The brass nuts are gold colored while the stainless steel tube is silver colored. The following connectors are included in this recall. The UPC code and “LDR 1200 Series Gas Connector” are printed on the product’s packaging.
IF YOU SMELL GAS, GET OUT. Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in operating condition.
GSJ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2008
Release #08-205 Firm’s Recall Hotline: (800) 545-5230 x2345
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
LDR Industries Recalls Gas Connectors Due to Fire and Explosion Hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: LDR 1200 Series Gas Connectors
Units: About 50,000
Importer: LDR Industries Inc., of Chicago, Ill.
Manufacturer: Sai lin Ke, of Beijing, China
Hazard: The gas connectors can leak propane or natural gas, posing a fire and explosion hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled LDR series 1200 gas connectors have 3/8 inch fine thread nuts attached. The connectors are used primarily with gas space heaters. The brass nuts are gold colored while the stainless steel tube is silver colored. The following connectors are included in this recall. The UPC code and “LDR 1200 Series Gas Connector” are printed on the product’s packaging.
IF YOU SMELL GAS, GET OUT. Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in operating condition.