A severe winter storm warning is in effect for DEC 20-21, with the potential for power outages and cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from improper use of fuel burning devices. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, chest pain, and confusion. Severe cases may have loss of consciousness, metabolic acidosis and death.

Laboratory criteria for confirmed diagnosis: A case in which carboxyhemoglobin concentration exists >5% in venous or arterial blood in nonsmokers and >10% in smokers. The typical range of carboxyhemoglobin concentrations in smokers is 6%-10%.

Criteria for suspected case: A physician diagnosis of CO poisoning based on signs, symptoms and history of exposure to a source of CO or link to a confirmed case.

Advice regarding diagnosis and management of CO intoxication is available 24/7 through WA Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. Consultation regarding management of severe CO intoxication is available through the Virginia Mason Hyperbaric Medicine program, call 206-583-6450 to reach the hyperbaric medicine physician on-call.

When reporting CO poisoning, please have the following information:

• Patient name, date of birth (age if DOB unavailable), street address and ZIP code of residence
• Street address and ZIP code of location of poisoning if different from residence
• Initial carboxyhemoglobin level or indicate if testing was not done
• Source of CO (cooking stove, generator, etc)
• Type of fuel used (wood, charcoal, kerosene, oil, etc.)
• Disposition (e.g., admitted, ICU admission, died, discharged)
• Primary language spoken if not English
• Ethnicity and cultural group. Cultural group and ethnicity are important so that we can target appropriate prevention messages to affected groups in the community
• Facility and name of person reporting

Shelter information is available from the King County Emergency Coordination Center at 296-3830.

Information on CO poisoning including pictograms and fact sheets in multiple languages.

To subscribe to receive e-mail and/or fax health alerts from Public Health, contact Maybelle Tamura at 206-296-4774 or Maybelle.Tamura@kingcounty.gov