Dallas, Texas, March 31, 2025
Last month, a hotel in El Paso was evacuated, and three people were hospitalized after what has been reported to have been a carbon monoxide (CO) leak. Emergency responders and the local gas company were monitoring the air quality in the hotel and investigating the cause.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 400 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires. In addition, 100,000+ people visit the emergency room and more than 14,000 are hospitalized annually due to CO exposure.
Carbon monoxide is found in fumes produced any time fossil fuels are used in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, water heaters, gas ranges, furnaces, or generators. Improperly vented wood burning stoves and fireplaces can also be a source of CO poisoning.
This odorless and colorless gas can build up indoors and poison people who breathe it. The CDC reports that the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. The symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If a person breathes in a lot of CO it can make them pass out and result in death. The agency also points out that people who are sleeping can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
“There are far too many cases of CO poisoning each year,” said Jody Thomason, Vice President of Products/Corporate Purchasing for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To prevent these tragedies, there should be carbon monoxide detectors, in addition to smoke detectors, in all homes and buildings. At EMSL, we provide air testing services for CO, other combustion gases, and a wide array of airborne pollutants. We also provide air monitoring and data logging field instruments to help prevent illnesses and deaths associated with combustion gases and other exposure hazards.”
EMSL sponsored an educational video about carbon monoxide exposure risks years ago that can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/-812ywMTxhU
To learn more about carbon monoxide or other air quality testing services, sampling supplies, and monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
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