Posted: | November 13, 2023 04:26 PM |
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From: | Senator Carolyn T. Comitta |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Recognize November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month |
Soon I will introduce a resolution recognizing November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and dangerous gas produced by devices that burn fuel. Some sources that can be found in our everyday lives include vehicle exhaust, faulty heaters, improperly ventilated appliances, stoves, and factory emissions. Symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, headaches, confusion, and drowsiness during exposure. Poisoning can also lead to long-term health issues such as neurological damage and cognitive impairments. Breathing in carbon monoxide is extremely harmful and is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States. This is why residents and families must take measures to prevent carbon monoxide exposure including installing carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of a home and near any gas-burning appliance. It is also important to have heaters and gas-burning appliances regularly inspected to make sure they are safe to use. I am grateful to all our community partners working to raise awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning including my constituents the Imbierowicz family. On November 22, 2014, Carly Imbierowicz tragically lost her life due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Since then, her parents, Matt and Donna, created the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation in her memory raising awareness about the dangers of CO poisoning. They have also donated more than 1300 carbon monoxide detectors to the Cochranville Fire Company to be distributed to community members. To bring greater awareness to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and what to look out for, please join me in co-sponsoring this resolution designating the month of November 2023 as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. |