title: Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in Colorado, 1986 through 1991.
abstract: Unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings were identified through death certificates, by hyperbaric chambers, and by laboratories required to report carboxyhemoglobin levels greater than 12%. From 1986 to 1991, 981 cases were reported, including 174 deaths. Deaths most often resulted from fire-related carbon monoxide intoxication (36.2%), followed by motor vehicle exhaust (34.5%), and furnaces (10.3%). Among nonfatal cases, furnaces were the leading source of carbon monoxide exposure (44.3%), followed by motor vehicle exhaust (22.8%). The importance of furnaces and other home heating devices in carbon monoxide intoxication may be underappreciated if only mortality data are examined. Surveillance of carbon monoxide-related morbidity is a useful adjunct to mortality surveillance in guiding prevention efforts.
authors.affiliation: Division of Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology, Colorado Department of Health, Denver 80222, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data