PRINTER'S NO. 4266
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1173
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY R. BROWN, BIZZARRO, BOBACK, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, DAY, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH, HARKINS, HENNESSEY,
HILL-EVANS, JAMES, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MARSICO, MATZIE,
MILLARD, MURT, NEILSON, PICKETT, RAVENSTAHL, READSHAW, RYAN,
SONNEY, WARD, WARREN AND YOUNGBLOOD, OCTOBER 16, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 16, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of November 2018 as "Carbon Monoxide
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide is produced by furnaces, common
household appliances, vehicles, generators, fireplaces and other
systems that are powered by the burning of fuel, including
natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil and wood; and
WHEREAS, November is the best time to raise awareness for
carbon monoxide poisoning as the threat of exposure increases as
people stay indoors and burn more fuel to heat their homes
during the winter months; and
WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide is known as "the silent killer"
because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas
that can be fatal when inhaled; and
WHEREAS, A 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention found that Pennsylvania leads the nation in
accidental carbon monoxide poisoning deaths; and
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WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
determined that carbon monoxide claims approximately 50 lives
each year and that carbon monoxide exposure sends more than
20,000 people to emergency rooms annually; and
WHEREAS, The Mayo Clinic has determined that 51% of all
carbon monoxide poisoning cases reported involve children six
years of age or younger; and
WHEREAS, The Consumer Product Safety Commission has
determined that older adults more frequently have preexisting
health conditions that affect the heart, lungs and circulatory
system, and the presence of one or more of these conditions
lowers a victim's tolerance and increases the risk of fatal
carbon monoxide exposure; and
WHEREAS, A January 2006 article in the Journal of the
American Medical Association showed that, for individuals who
were involved in carbon monoxide poisoning and survived, there
was a three-fold increase in coronary artery disease seven years
later when compared with patients who were not poisoned; and
WHEREAS, The Carbon Monoxide Safety Association has
determined that the combined medical cost of carbon monoxide
accidents, lost productivity and lost wages amounts to $8.8
billion per year; and
WHEREAS, Public education and awareness about carbon monoxide
poisonings are critical to protecting residents of this
Commonwealth from the dangers of this deadly gas and the risk
factors in the home; and
WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide alarms are the most effective way to
detect carbon monoxide; and
WHEREAS, There is a dramatic correlation between cities with
carbon monoxide alarm ordinances and lower death rates from
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carbon monoxide poisoning; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of November 2018 as "Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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