Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

About 60 people appealed to the emergency medical aid facility in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, over carbon monoxide poisoning during the New Year holidays - from December 31 to January 2, its deputy head, Zemfira Vahidova, told the local press on Thursday.

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, and is very difficult to be detected.

Symptoms of mild acute poisoning include lightheadedness, confusion, headaches, vertigo, and flu-like effects; larger exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart, and even death.

Most of the poisoning cases occurred on December 31, when 17 people out of 26 who sought medical aid were hospitalized with this diagnosis, Vahidova said. 13 people with the same diagnosis were hospitalized on January 1, and 10 others were hospitalized on January 2.

Though the number of appeals usually made up 1,500 to 1,600 per day, over the holidays the figure reached 2,000, Vahidova added.

1,709 people were reported to have been poisoned with carbon monoxide in Azerbaijan in 2012. 974 of them were hospitalized, according to the medical aid facility's deputy head.

The number of cases of poisoning with carbon monoxide, a dangerous toxic gas, has recently increased in Azerbaijan.

According to Azer Magsudov, head of toxicology at the Central Clinical Hospital, most of the carbon monoxide poisoning takes place at bathhouses in Azerbaijan.

Gas supplier Azerigaz says carbon monoxide poisoning in bathhouses is explained by the lack of special smoke stacks.

According to Azerigaz, poisoning cases often occur due to the use of old devices and dirty smoke stacks. The company carries out technical check-ups of gas supply equipment in Baku and regions of the country.

In case of using nonstandard, uncertified water heating equipment, illegal gas line connections and illegal counter operations, gas supply to those users is suspended individually.

To avoid accidents, the customer should strictly follow safety rules and be careful with gas. Bathrooms' cubic content should be no less than 7.5 cubic meters, and height no less than 2.5 meters. Moreover, bathrooms must have a ventilation system, a smoke stack and a small window.