When the power goes out during a winter storm, people need to rely on alternative sources for heat, cooking, and electricity. Unfortunately, many of these alternatives are combustibles which produce carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless gas is poisonous to humans and animals and can cause sudden illness or even death when inhaled. Using combustible energy sources in enclosed areas can cause carbon monoxide levels to rise rapidly.

Unfortunately, this is the time of year when reports of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning start appearing on the nightly news, sometimes with tragic consequences. Each year, around 500 people die in the United States from accidental exposure to carbon monoxide. The initial symptoms are similar to the onset of a cold or the flu: headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. However, this soon progresses to include chest pain, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death. People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before ever even noticing.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning during a power outage, follow these tips:

• Do not use gasoline-powered engines in an enclosed area such as a house, garage, basement, trailer, or camper. This includes generators, mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, and small engines.
• Do not use any petroleum-burning or charcoal-burning devices indoors such as lanterns, hibachis, propane grills, barbecues, charcoal stoves or camp stoves.
• When using a generator or other combustible device, make sure it is outside and far away from any open windows or air intake vents on your home to prevent exhaust fumes from entering.
• If you are using a generator, install a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector near the bedrooms. Make sure the batteries are operational when using the generator.
• Never burn anything indoors to keep warm except in a properly vented fireplace or wood stove. If you have no other way to keep warm, stay with a friend or relative or seek help at a local community shelter.
• Do not use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Never sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
• Never leave a car idling in a in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Do not attempt to stay warm by spending the night in a closed car, camper, or motor home with the motor left on.

If you suspect that someone may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately. Go outside, open all windows and doors and turn off all petroleum powered devices.

If you have questions about keeping your family safe during winter power outages, ask the experts at Healia Health Communities.

_{Sources: Oregon Poison Center, 12/08 http://www.ohsu.edu/poison/; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996 http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html}

_{Photo: *BGP*, Flickr, Creative Commons}

How dangerous is the chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA)? According to an independent panel of scientific advisers, it’s much more dangerous than a recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report suggested.

BPA is a chemical used to harden plastics and is found in several products including baby bottles, plastic food packaging, and the lining of food cans.

The panel charges that the FDA ignored scientific evidence and used flawed methods when it issued its draft risk assessment of BPA in August stating that an “adequate margin of safety” existed for BPA exposure. The FDA stated that the small amounts of BPA that migrate from food containers into the food they hold are not dangerous to infants or adults.

The panel, set up specifically to review the FDA's risk assessment of BPA, said that the FDA had relied on industry-funded studies and ignored a mountain of data including more than 100 scientific studies that have linked BPA to health problems in laboratory animals including breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, hyperactivity and reproductive problems. The panel also questioned the methods used in the FDA studies to determine the levels of BPA in infant formula, concluding that the FDA report "creates a false sense of security” and recommending that the agency redo its risk assessment.

Environmental groups want to ban BPA in infant products because the chemical can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen and interfere with their development. Infants may be at increased risk of exposure because their kidneys do not eliminate the chemical from the body as fast as adults. Babies can be exposed to BPA through bottles and through baby formula packaged in containers made with the chemical, including cans.

If you want to lessen your family’s exposure to BPA, you can avoid eating foods from plastic containers labeled with the number 7 (usually found on the bottom of the container, inside the recycle symbol), which often contain BPA. You can also limit your use of canned foods and infant formula, most of which come in cans lined with BPA.

Have more questions about BPA and other food contaminants? The members and health experts of Healia Health Communities are waiting to help you.

_{Photo: iMorpheus, Flickr, Creative Commons}