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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 9, 2014 11:07 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Shirley M. Kitchen |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Dining Establishments, Which Includes Restaurants, Bars and Cafes |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would require carbon monoxide detectors in dining establishments, which includes restaurants, bars and cafes, if a facility uses a fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance or has an attached garage. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO is non-irritating and can overcome individuals without warning. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Fatality is highest among Americans age 65 and over. In February of this year, a Legal Sea Foods restaurant manager in Huntington Station, New York, died after succumbing to carbon monoxide exposure. Authorities found that a leaky water heater pipe in the restaurant’s basement allowed the poisonous gas to escape. At the same restaurant, more than twenty-seven others, including first responders, were rushed to the hospital with poisoning symptoms. The restaurant did not have carbon monoxide detectors, which were not required by law. As a result of this tragedy, a New York state senator has recently introduced legislation requiring carbon monoxide detectors in restaurants and other commercial buildings. The unfortunate incident and now proposed legislation in New York is a wakeup call for similar legislation to occur in Pennsylvania. The same dangers that happen in resident homes as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning can also happen in dining establishments such as restaurants, bars and cafes. The cost of the carbon monoxide detectors is minimal at best, in order to ensure that serious illness or unfortunate loss of lives do not occur as a result of carbon monoxide exposure. I hope you will join me in sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as SB1369