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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 10, 2012 09:21 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Adam Ravenstahl |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Schools |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will require all public and nonpublic schools in the Commonwealth to install carbon monoxide detection and warning devices. It is my sincere hope you will join me in this important effort. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning devices such as motor vehicles, gas-powered furnaces, and portable generators. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional exposure to the toxic gas accounts for an estimated 15,000 emergency department visits and 500 unintentional deaths in the United States each year. 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. Unfortunately, I have personal experience with the dangers of this silent killer, having lost family members to CO exposure. As you may know, dozens of school children at Finch Elementary School in Atlanta were recently rushed to the hospital when they complained of symptoms consistent with CO exposure. Emergency personnel traced the source of the toxic gas to a faulty furnace that was emitting extremely high levels of carbon monoxide. Thankfully, all students and teachers are expected to recover, but the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure to students are truly troubling. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. Thus, the need for CO detectors in schools is great. Presently, Pennsylvania law does not require schools to install carbon monoxide detectors. In fact, only Connecticut and Maryland require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in schools. My legislation seeks to improve the safety of students and teachers by requiring each building with fossil-fuel burning heating systems or appliances to be equipped with these crucial devices as ensuring the health and safety of our children should be of the utmost importance to us as legislators. |
Introduced as HB615