Carbon monoxide poisoning (heaters and sandali)
Carbon monoxide is a gas with no colour or smell that comes from burning coal, wood, charcoal, gas or kerosene. In Afghanistan, many people are poisoned every winter by sandali, bukhari stoves and gas heaters in closed rooms, especially while sleeping. It can cause brain damage and death within hours, and whole families can be affected at once.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Dizziness and weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and sleepiness
- Shortness of breath and chest pain
- Fainting, fits or not waking up
- Several people or animals in the same room feeling ill at the same time
Causes
- Burning coal, charcoal or wood in a sandali under a blanket in a closed room
- Bukhari stoves or gas heaters with blocked or no chimneys
- Sleeping with a heater or stove burning
- Running a generator or car engine indoors or in a closed garage
- Cooking with gas or charcoal in a room with no ventilation
Prevention
- Never sleep with a sandali, coal or charcoal stove, or gas heater burning in a closed room
- Make sure every bukhari has a working chimney that is cleaned before winter
- Keep a window or vent slightly open whenever anything is burning indoors
- Never bring burning or glowing charcoal inside to warm a room
- Do not run generators indoors
- Use a carbon monoxide alarm if you can
Treatment
- Get everyone out into fresh air immediately and open doors and windows
- Turn off the heater or stove if it is safe to do so
- Call for help and take the person to hospital, even if they start to feel better
- If the person is not breathing, start rescue breathing and chest compressions if you know how
- Hospitals give high-flow oxygen
- Do not give food or drink to a person who is drowsy or unconscious
Common questions
Can I smell carbon monoxide?
No. Carbon monoxide has no colour or smell, which is why it is so dangerous. Smoke may be present, but the poison itself cannot be noticed. Fresh air and working chimneys are the only safe protection.
Is a sandali safe if the coals are no longer glowing red?
No. Coals and charcoal keep giving off carbon monoxide even when they look burned out. Do not sleep with a sandali in a closed room.