Shocking! The death of a famous writer was actually related to this "silent killer". Be careful in winter!

"I will leave you quietly, ... I think it will be in winter", I wonder how many people can still remember this song by Chyi Chin? On December 4, 2024, the 86-year-old Taiwanese female writer Qiong Yao, who had created a large number of romantic works such as "Outside the Window", "Wanjun Cousin", "Moon Full in the West Tower", "Deep Courtyard", "I am a Cloud", etc., and left countless beautiful youth memories for generations of Chinese people, passed away at home. It is reported that she finally chose carbon monoxide poisoning in winter to bid farewell to her life. Carbon monoxide is the main component of the gas we often use in our daily lives. Let's take everyone to understand its characteristics.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and non-irritating gas known as the "silent killer." Carbon monoxide can bind to hemoglobin, which is 200-300 times more capable than oxygen-binding hemoglobin. The resulting carboxyhemoglobin will cause hemoglobin to lose its oxygen-carrying capacity and function. In addition, it is cytotoxic, especially to the cerebral cortex [1].

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Mild symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and weakness in the limbs.

Moderately aggravated symptoms may include flushing of the face, cherry red oral mucosa, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness.

Severely poisoned patients quickly fall into a coma, experience paroxysmal or tonic convulsions, pale complexion, decreased blood pressure, and dilated pupils, with an extremely high mortality rate[2].

What are the main situations that can easily lead to carbon monoxide poisoning?

Burning coal or charcoal for heating in poorly ventilated environments;

Improper use and installation of gas water heaters and stoves;

Keeping the air conditioner on for a long time in a closed car, etc.

Image source: Pixabay

What to do after carbon monoxide poisoning?

1. Immediately move the poisoned person to a well-ventilated place, open doors and windows for ventilation, and cut off the source of carbon monoxide.

2. Ensure that breathing is unobstructed and keep lying on your side to prevent suffocation due to inhalation of vomitus.

3. For those with coma or convulsion symptoms, apply ice packs to the head to reduce edema.

4. Call 120 emergency number as soon as possible and send to the hospital for treatment.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

1. For users who use coal for heating, indoor stoves should be equipped with chimneys to maintain tight structure and good ventilation. Regularly inspect stoves, maintain and clean chimneys.

2. Equipment such as gas stoves and gas water heaters must not be installed in rooms with poor ventilation.

3. It is best not to use charcoal hot pots or charcoal braziers in a closed room. If you must do so, make sure to increase ventilation.

4. Do not sleep in a car with doors and windows closed.

5. If conditions permit, install a carbon monoxide concentration monitoring alarm in living places where carbon monoxide gas exists, and conduct regular inspections and maintenance.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a global public health problem and the second leading cause of death from non-drug poisoning[3]. Winter is the peak season for carbon monoxide poisoning. We should pay attention to the safe use of gas, coal and gas appliances, maintain indoor ventilation, enhance safety awareness and beware of carbon monoxide poisoning.

References:

[1] Five people were "smoked" while eating hot pot in an air-conditioned room. Even in summer, we should be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning - Northeast Net Heilongjiang - "Network (http://heilongjiang.dbw.cn)" - 2016

[2] Liu Shujin. Experiments on combustion characteristics of several common floors and research on the composition of pyrolysis combustible gases[D]. China University of Mining and Technology: 2015.

[3] Li Mingjun, Shan Bing, Fu Lin, Wei Jinli, Peng Xiumiao, Cui Liangliang. Correlation between cold waves and carbon monoxide poisoning risk associated with coal-fired heating: A case study in Jinan City[J]. Journal of Environmental Health, 2023, 13(06): 399-404+432. DOI:10.13421/j.cnki.hjwsxzz.2023.06.001.

Source: Chongqing Science Writers Association

Written by: Chief Technician Hu Xulai and Chief Technician Xie Jinhua of Zhongxian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Chief Technician Zou Jingbo of Yongchuan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Audit expert: Li Hanbin

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