The Boston Globe
Carbon monoxide sickens family
Ashland residents treated, released; furnace blamed
By Connie Paige, Globe Correspondent | December 7, 2005
ASHLAND -- Lucky, the family shepherd mix, was staggering around the house early yesterday when Barryn and Nina Carlton awoke, and then noticed they and their teenage sons all had headaches and flu-like symptoms, fire officials said. They telephoned firefighters at 6:50 a.m. and were whisked to MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, where they were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and released.
If the Carltons had not noticed their 12-year-old pet weaving and falling down, they or their sons might have become sicker or even died, said Fire Lieutenant Keith Robie.
The gas furnace had malfunctioned and pumped dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into the house, said Ashland Fire Chief William Kee. Another town resident had been treated recently for carbon monoxide poisoning, a problem created by faulty furnaces and car exhaust seeping inside houses, Kee said.
The state has a new law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in all residences, but it does not take effect until next month. New regulations are expected to be issued on detectors, which homeowners will be responsible for installing and maintaining.
Firefighters said that the Carltons' detector was either broken or had a dead battery.
Ashland Fire Lieutenant Keith Robie said they recorded readings of 330 parts per million of carbon monoxide in the house. The colorless and odorless gas can be harmful to people in concentrations higher than 1 to 10 parts per million, Robie said. But the extent of sickness depends on the length of exposure and the concentration of the gas.
NStar technicians found a cracked heat exchanger in the home's gas furnace that emitted carbon monoxide into the house, said spokesman Mike Durand. Durand said the family will need a new furnace.
NStar cannot turn the gas back on until the town plumbing inspector gives permission.
Fire officials recommend having furnaces cleaned and checked at least once a year, he said.
Batteries in carbon monoxide detectors should be changed regularly |
