Problem
Hazards of gas-fired hot water heaters
Other Names:
Inadequately maintained bath heaters Nature:
All gas appliances for heating and for production of hot water can produce carbon monoxide (CO) in some circumstances which are potentially fatal. Their safe use depends on the unit's extractive properties for combustion gases. Three factors that can contribute to a dangerous situation are: (1) incorrect installation: when the heater is placed in an area of less that the minimum required volume and deprived of ventilation; (2) incorrect use: when the unit is in prolonged use, despite being designed only for intermittent use; and (3) lack of maintenance: over time the unit's heat exchanger become progressively blocked, reducing the quality of combustion and increasing the amount of CO produced. Incidence:
Carbon monoxide poisoning from heating appliances accounts for the largest number of poisoning admissions in some hospitals. It is mostly a winter and domestic phenomenon. In Belgium it kills 150 people each year; 50 alone are in Brussels, where another 500 a year are poisoned badly enough to need hospital treatment, which may include sessions in a pressurized oxygen chamber. The 24-hour poisons hotline in Brussels received around 1,000 calls each work relating to CO poisoning. Immigrants and young people, who tend to live in poorly equipped and maintained properties built before 1920, are most at risk. More recently at risk, however, are people in homes with improved insulation features, such as double-glazing, shutters and roof cladding, that reduce the fresh air supply and inhibit combustion gases from dispersing. Weak wind and temperature inversions increase daily risks. Broader Problems:
Carbon-based heating systems Narrower Problems:
Carbon monoxide as a health hazard Aggravates:
Accidental poisonings Subject(s):
Fundamental Sciences → Gaseous stateHydrology → Water
Amenities → Equipment
Industry → Metal products
Societal Problems → Hazards
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
G: Very specific problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST