THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY RAVENSTAHL, BAKER, K. BOYLE, BRENNAN, V. BROWN, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DALEY, DAVIS, DEASY, DiGIROLAMO, ELLIS, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FARRY, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GERGELY, GROVE, HARKINS, HENNESSEY, KILLION, KIRKLAND, KNOWLES, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, MAJOR, MAHONEY, MARKOSEK, MATZIE, MILLARD, MURT, MUSTIO, M. O'BRIEN, PRESTON, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SONNEY, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD, BRADFORD AND MIRABITO, OCTOBER 6, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 6, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing December 2011 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, 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, Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental

poisoning deaths in this nation; 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

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has

determined that nationwide, carbon monoxide claims approximately

500 lives each year and that carbon monoxide exposure sends more

than 20,000 people to emergency rooms annually; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

reports that the highest rate for emergency room visits for

unintentional, nonfire related carbon monoxide exposure in any

age group was for children younger than five years; 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, Public education and awareness about carbon monoxide

poisonings are critical to protecting residents of Pennsylvania

from the dangers of this deadly gas and the risk factors in the

home; and

WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide alarms have been determined to be

the most effective way to detect carbon monoxide, and there is a

dramatic correlation between carbon monoxide alarm ordinances in

cities and lower death rates from carbon monoxide; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize

December 2011 as "Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month" in

Pennsylvania.