Two workmen taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning

Two workmen had to be taken to hospital on Tuesday afternoon after they fell ill while cleaning out a water pipe in an underground garage in the city.

The two men had used diesel-powered equipment to help them in their job and as they began to feel ill after a few hours, one of them, a 54-year-old, went to see a doctor, who diagnosed he was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Both he and his 57-year-old colleague were then both attended to before being taken to hospital.

It was indeed fortunate that medical help was sought as by this time their symptoms were getting worse.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, which can lead to fatal consequences if inhaled in high concentration. It arises through the burning of gas, wood, oil, kerosene in spaces where there is insufficient oxygen.

When equipment which burns such fuels is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the amount of CO produced is, as a rule, not dangerous. However, if the equipment is used where there is insufficient ventilation, as in this case, then high levels of CO can arise, leading to symptoms such as headaches, breathlessness, nausea, confusion and palpitations.