Carbon monoxide intoxication from domestic fuel-burning furncaces and appliances

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is to determine if dwellers of rural areas who cook using fuel-burning furnaces and appliances such as woods, charcoal and natural gas are exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication and to measure the extent of CO intoxication on dwellers resulting from their cooking activities. The data on CO concentration and health problems for this research study were gathered through the means of observation and interview. Samplings were also carried out to measure the CO level at the selected areas, which were identified based on the criteria of the research. These two steps were done concurrently. The measurements of CO in the houses at Kampong Orang Asli Simpang Arang, Gelang Patah residential were taken outside of the houses, inside the kitchen areas before switching the stove on, after the stove was switched on, during the cooking process and after the cooking was completed. The study shows that the dwellers of rural areas who cook using woods as cooking fuels are found to be exposed to CO intoxication and the factors that influence the health risks are duration of cooking activities per meal, frequency of cooking activities, the absence of proper ventilation as well as the amount of CO concentration released during cooking activities. The measured CO concentration from woods during the experiment was in the range of 150 to 500 ppm. Through CO samplings of charcoal and natural gas as control experiments, it is also found that both sources did not contribute to any serious health effects to the people using them as cooking fuels. Meanwhile, the average CO toxicant produced from burning woods was the highest and this indicates that the CO level from woods is the most risky one among the other domestic fuels commonly used.