After a carbon monoxide leak hospitalized 19 Virginia Tech students last week, carbon monoxide concerns have led to questions about a similar event occurring at VCU.
But, according to Rod Burke, assistant director for facilities in the Department of Residential Life and Housing, measures are in place to prevent the same event from happening in any VCU dormitory.
“In the residence halls, we only have one resident hall where … (carbon monoxide) would be an issue, and that is Broad and Belvidere, because they have a gas-hot-water heater, and they have carbon monoxide detectors in those halls,” Burke said.
There is also one section of Ackell Residence Center with a gas-hot-water heater, as well, Burke said, but a detector is installed in that section in case of any leakage issues.
The Virginia Tech leak reportedly came from a faulty valve in the gaswater heater at off-campus Collegiate Suites complex. The leak was found on Sunday, Aug. 19, after five women were found unconscious in their beds.
As these five women and numbers of others were rushed to hospitals, the Blacksburg Fire Department took readings of the air and discovered a severe carbon monoxide leak. The readings of the air in the apartment read at 500-parts-per-million, a measurement indicating concentration of carbon monoxide in the air. Toxic levels of carbon monoxide begin at 25-parts-per-million.
For students not living in a dormitory, carbon monoxide awareness might be a more important issue. Although apartments are required to employ safety precautions, such as fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors are not a general requirement, according to a press release from Kidde, a fire and safety services production company.
“I think it’s one of the most overlooked safety issues because people always worry about fire,” said Son Duong, a broadcast major who had not heard of the carbon monoxide leak at Tech.
Duong, 25, said carbon monoxide safety is definitely overlooked in his apartment, where the apartment is equipped with a smoke detector but not a carbon monoxide detector.
Off-campus students should inspect their apartments, Burke said.
“My advice to anyone living … in an apartment (is to) … check and see if there are any fuel-burning appliances in their apartment, and if there are, they should go out … (and) buy a carbon monoxide detector and put it in their apartment.”
Students in off-campus housing also should become more aware of maintenance issues and sources of carbon monoxide, according to the Kidde news release. Students should have their water heaters and other fuel-burning appliances inspected professionally every year. They also should make sure chimneys are not blocked by nests or leaves, according to the Kidde news release.
Sam Corrie, 24, a print journalism major who lives in a house off-campus, said the carbon monoxide leak at Tech is a good reminder to keep up with house maintenance.
“Now that I understand where the leak came from … I would say I (will) be more aware of what I can do in monthly maintenance,” Corrie said. “Installing a censor sounds like the easiest option.”
Many might not be aware that carbon monoxide can also leak from clothes dryers and can be particularly hazardous in automobile exhaust. Although carbon monoxide issues are not often reported in the media, the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that carbon monoxide claims more than 2,000 lives per year.
“It is something that people have to be constantly aware of,” Burke said.
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Carbon monoxide facts
– Carbon monoxide claims more than 2,000 lives each year (Journal of the American Medical Association).
– Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America (Centers for Disease Control).
– Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek medical attention because of carbon monoxide poisoning from home-related products (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
– Only 27 percent of homes in America have carbon monoxide alarms. (Hardware/Homecenter Research Industry)
– For more information, go to http://knowaboutco.com — taken from Kidde news release
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Visit one of these locations and pick up a carbon monoxide detector
– RiteAid at the corner of Broad and Belvidere for $43
– Target at the corner of Libbie and Broad for $20 – $50
– Lowes at Broad and Lombardy for $40
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For students in an apartment or a house
– Check to see if carbon monoxide alarms have been installed.
– Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm on every level and near sleeping areas.
– Use a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm and make sure it has fresh batteries.
– Have heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances be inspected annually by a licensed professional.
– Ensure that fuelburning appliances (grills, etc.) are installed properly and operate according to instructions.
– To ensure proper venting, make sure animal nests, leaves and residue aren’t blocking your chimney.
– Make sure the exhaust flues or ducts used by water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers aren’t sealed shut. For all students
– Never sit in or leave a running car in an attached garage or carport. – Never heat the home with ovens or stoves.
– Never use grills inside or operate them outdoors near a window.
– Contact officials immediately if you ever think you smell a gas leak.