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Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths

Associated with the Use of Consumer Products

2010 Annual Estimates

Matthew V. Hnatov

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Directorate for Epidemiology

Division of Hazard Analysis

4330 East West Highway

Bethesda, MD 20814

January 2014

This analysis was prepared by the CPSC staff, and it has not been reviewed or approved by, and may not 

necessarily reflect the views of, the Commission.
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Table of Contents

Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................6

National Estimates of Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products.......................................7

Table 1: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Associated Fuel-Burning Consumer 

Product, 2001–2010.................................................................................................................................................11

Table 2: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products Organized 

by Fuel Type, 2001–2010........................................................................................................................................14

Table 3: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Engine-Driven Tools, 2001–

2010 .........................................................................................................................................................................17

Figure 1: Comparison of Trends in Consumer Product-Related Carbon Monoxide Deaths – 2001 to 2010..........18

Table 4: Number of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents Reported to CPSC by Number of Deaths Per Incident, 

2001–2010 ...............................................................................................................................................................19

Table 5: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Location of Death, 2001−2010.................20

Table 6: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Month and Year of the Fatality, 2001–2010

.................................................................................................................................................................................21

Figure 2: Estimated Number of Consumer Product-Related Carbon Monoxide Deaths by Month of Death, 2001–

2010 .........................................................................................................................................................................22

Demographics of Fatalities from Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Associated with the Use of Consumer 

Products.......................................................................................................................................................................23

Table 7: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Age of Victim, 2001–2010.......................23

Table 8: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Gender of Victim, 2001-2010 ..................24

Table 9: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Race/Ethnicity, 2001−2010......................25

Table 10: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Population Density of Place of Death, 

2001–2010 ...............................................................................................................................................................27

Table 11: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Geographical Region of Incident, 2001–

2010 .........................................................................................................................................................................28

Appendix A: Methodology.........................................................................................................................................29

Table A.1.a: Initial Categorization for 2008 Data ...................................................................................................31

Table A.1.b: Initial Categorization for 2009 Data ..................................................................................................31

Table A.1.c: Initial Categorization for 2010 Data ..................................................................................................31

Table A.2.a: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2008 Estimate of Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths 

Associated with Consumer Products .......................................................................................................................32

Table A.2.b: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2009 Estimate of Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths 

Associated with Consumer Products .......................................................................................................................33

Table A.2.c: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2010 Estimate of Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths 

Associated with Consumer Products .......................................................................................................................33

Table A.3: CO Fatality Cases and Weighting Factors Used to Calculate the Estimates for the Years 2001–2010 34

Appendix B: National Estimates of Consumer Product-Related CO Poisoning Deaths, 1980 to 2010......................36

Figure B.1: Estimated Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products: 1980–2010...........36

Table B.1: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products, 

1980−2010...............................................................................................................................................................37

Table B.2: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Generators, 1999−2010 ...38

Table B.3: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products, 1999–

2010 (Excluding Generator-Related Deaths)...........................................................................................................39

Table B.4: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Generators and Other 

Engine-Driven Tools,1999–2010.............................................................................................................................40

Table B.5: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products, 

1999−2010 (Excluding Generator- and Other Engine-Driven Tool-Related Deaths)..............................................41

Appendix C: Regional Definitions .............................................................................................................................42

References ...................................................................................................................................................................43
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Executive Summary

This report provides information about the estimated number of unintentional non-fire 

deaths attributed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that were associated with the use of 

consumer products in 2010, and companion statistics since 2001. Consumer Product Safety 

Commission staff continues to receive reports of CO poisoning fatalities, and the 2010 estimates 

may change in subsequent reports. 

Some of the key findings in this report are:

For 2010:

• There were an estimated 161 unintentional non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with 

consumer products under the CPSC’s jurisdiction. The estimated annual average from 

2008 to 2010 was 162 deaths.

1

• Heating Systems were associated with the largest percentage of non-fire CO poisoning 

fatalities at 36 percent (estimated 58 deaths). Engine-Driven Tools (EDT)-related CO 

fatalities were associated with nearly as many deaths as Heating Systems at 35 percent of 

non-fire CO poisoning fatalities (57 deaths). Four other product categories: [Charcoal 

Grills or Charcoal (17 deaths), Gas Ranges, Ovens (5 deaths), Other Products (7 deaths), 

and Multiple Products (16 deaths)], combined were associated with a total of 28 percent.

In 2010, there were no reported deaths in the remaining three categories: Grills, Camp 

Stoves; Gas Water Heaters; and Lanterns – LP Fueled.

Generators & Other Engine-Driven Tools2

:

• There were an estimated 63 CO fatalities in 2010 associated with Engine-Driven Tools,

including 6 of the 16 Multiple Products deaths in which an EDT and another potential 

CO-producing product was also in use. Forty-nine of the 63 EDT-related deaths 

(including all six of the multiple product deaths that involved an EDT) involved 

generators. Since 2005, portable generators have been associated with more non-fire CO 

fatalities than any other consumer product under CPSC jurisdiction.

Heating Systems:

• Of the estimated 58 Heating Systems-related fatalities in 2010, 88 percent (51 deaths)

involved gas heating equipment. Natural gas heating equipment accounted for 33 percent 

(19 deaths) of all fuel types of heating system-related fatalities; liquefied petroleum (LP 

or propane) gas heating accounted for 47 percent (27 deaths); and an additional 9 percent 

(5 deaths) were identified as unspecified gas heating. Oil- (1 death) and kerosene-fueled 

(1 death) heating systems accounted for a combined total of 3 percent. Five additional 

 1 Not all of these fatalities are addressable by an action the CPSC could take; however, it was not the purpose of this 

report to evaluate the addressability of the incidents but rather to update the estimates of the number of consumer 

products associated with CO poisoning deaths. 2 Numbers presented in this document represent national estimates of unintentional non-fire deaths attributed to CO 

poisoning that were associated with the use of consumer products and not observed counts as presented in the CPSC 

report Incidents, Deaths, and In-Depth Investigations Associated with Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide from EngineDriven Generators and Other Engine-Driven Tools, 1999–2012.

http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia12/os/cogenerators.pdf.
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fatalities (9 percent) were associated with heating systems, where the fuel type could not 

be ascertained from CPSC records.

Location/Demographics:

• CPSC staff is aware of 110 fatal non-fire CO incidents involving consumer products in 

2010. Eighty-six percent (95 deaths) of these incidents involved a single fatality.

• Eighty-five percent (137 deaths) of the estimated 161 CO deaths in 2010 occurred in a

home location. Of these 137 estimated fatalities, 5 occurred in an external structure, such 

as a shed or detached garage, and 7 occurred in a nonfixed location domicile (e.g., 

camper trailer or boat used as homes) used as a permanent home, or a structure not 

designed for habitation (e.g., sea-land shipping container, metal shed). Additionally, an

estimated 11 percent (18 deaths) occurred in tents, camper trailers, and other temporary 

shelters. 

• More CO fatalities occurred in the cold months of the year. In 2010, 66 percent (106 of 

161 estimated deaths) occurred during the cold months of November, December, January, 

and February.

• In the three most recent years of this report (2008–2010), adults 45 years and older 

comprised an annual average of 60 percent of all non-fire, consumer product-related CO 

deaths, while this age group makes up about 39 percent of the U.S. population. 

Conversely, children younger than 15 years of age accounted for an annual average of 3

percent of the yearly CO poisoning deaths, while this age group makes up about 20 

percent of the U.S. population. 

• In 2010, 77 percent (an estimated 124 deaths) of CO poisoning victims were males, and 

23 percent (38 deaths) were females. 

• There is some statistical evidence that the proportion of fatalities by race/ethnicity differs 

from the proportions of race/ethnicity in the U.S. population in the 2008 through 2010 

time frame. The proportion of Hispanic victims (irrespective of race) is significantly 

lower than the proportion of Hispanic Americans in the U.S. population (9% versus 

16%), while the proportion of Black or African American victims was significantly 

greater than the U.S. population (20% versus 12%) during this time period. 

• The proportion of all CO poisoning fatalities that occurred in small towns or isolated 

rural locations (19 percent in 2008 through 2010) is larger than the proportion of the U.S. 

population living in these areas (9 percent). The disparity is even higher at small town 

rural isolated non-home locations, which account for 33 percent of all CO fatalities 

occurring at non-home locations.
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Historical Data:

• Regression models indicate that there is insufficient statistical evidence to support a 

conclusion that the trend in non-fire CO fatalities from 2001 to 2010 is increasing;

although the short-term trend since hitting a peak in 2005 through 2007 appears to be 

declining slightly. 

• The CO poisoning 3-year average mortality rate for 2008 through 2010 associated with

consumer products (5.29 per 10 million population) is approximately 22 percent greater 

than the 3-year average for 2000 (expressed as the midpoint year of the 3-year period 

1999 to 2001) of 4.34 per 10 million population. However, for all consumer products,

excluding generators and other non-engine-driven tool products, the 3-year average 

mortality rate has decreased by 27 percent from 3.44 (the 2000 3-year average) down to a 

2.52 3-year average mortality rate in 2009 (the average rate for 2008 through 2010). 

Conversely, the 3-year average mortality rate of CO poisoning from engine-driven tools 

during the same time period more than tripled, increasing from 0.72 for 2000, up to 2.35

for 2009. Details are given in Appendix B of this report. 

• The data indicate that engine-driven tools and generators, in particular, have had a 

substantial impact on the CO poisoning mortality rate involving consumer products.
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Introduction

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that results from the 

incomplete combustion of fuels, such as natural or liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, gasoline, oil, 

wood, coal, and other fuels. The health effects related to CO depend upon its concentration in 

blood, which in turn, depends upon its concentration in air, an individual’s duration of exposure, 

and an individual’s general health. Carbon monoxide combines with the body’s hemoglobin 

(Hb) with an affinity about 250 times that of oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and 

interfering with oxygen transport, delivery, and utilization. Generally, there are no perceptible 

health effects or symptoms in healthy individuals at COHb levels below 10 percent. Symptoms 

associated with blood levels at or above 10 percent COHb include: headache, fatigue, nausea, 

and cognitive impairment. Loss of consciousness, coma, and death can occur at COHb levels 

greater than 20 percent; although for healthy adults, CO fatalities typically require levels above 

50 percent COHb.

3

Some symptoms of CO poisoning may mimic common illnesses, such as influenza or 

colds; thus, there likely is a high incidence of initial misdiagnosis by physicians and victims 

(Long and Saltzman, 1995). Frequently, patients are unaware of exposures, and health care 

providers may not always consider CO poisoning a cause of such nonspecific symptoms. COHb 

formation is reversible, as are some clinical symptoms of CO poisoning. However, some 

delayed neurological effects that develop following severe poisonings, especially those involving 

prolonged unconsciousness, may not be reversible. Prompt medical attention is important to 

reduce the risk of permanent damage.

Any fuel-burning appliance can be a potential source of fatal or hazardous CO levels. 

Fuels, such as natural and LP gas, kerosene, oil, coal, and wood can produce large amounts of 

CO when there is insufficient oxygen available for combustion. Consumer products that burn 

kerosene, oil, coal, or wood (such as wood stoves, oil boilers, and kerosene heaters) produce an 

irritating smoke that can alert the victim to a potentially hazardous situation. Engine-driven tools

(EDTs) powered by gasoline engines produce large amounts of CO, even when they are run 

where there is sufficient oxygen available for combustion; yet Engine-Driven Tools may not 

emit an irritating exhaust smoke. Other fuels, such as charcoal briquettes and pressed wood-chip 

logs produce relatively smokeless fires, even at times of inefficient combustion. In these cases,

victims receive no obvious sensory warning that high CO levels are present. Another hazard 

scenario is present when gas appliances are not vented properly or are malfunctioning. Natural 

and LP gas burn more efficiently and cleanly, compared with other forms of fuel. In 

circumstances of poor maintenance, inadequate ventilation, or faulty exhaust pathways, natural 

and LP gas appliances may emit potentially lethal amounts of CO without any irritating fumes. 

Again, many victims may be unaware of a potential problem.

 3 Inkster S.E. Health hazard assessment of CO poisoning associated with emissions from a portable, 5.5 kilowatt, 

gasoline-powered generator. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2004.
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National Estimates of Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products

The national estimates presented in this report are based on death certificate records 

obtained from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City directly, augmented by 

information collected in CPSC’s In-Depth Investigations (IDIs) and, to a lesser extent, news 

articles and Medical Examiner’s reports contained in the CPSC Injury or Potential Injury 

Incident (IPII) database. Death certificate data from some states, for a partial year or even an 

entire year, can lag for months or even years and may not be available in time for use in this 

report. The estimates presented in this report are based on reporting as of July 23, 2013of 

consumer product-related CO poisoning fatalities that occurred through 2010. The National 

Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has records of every death certificate filed in the United 

States and its territories. A comparison of CPSC records to NCHS records indicates that CPSC 

records have data on about 77 percent of all the fatal CO poisoning deaths that occurred in 2010,

in the United States. By comparison, for the nine years covered in this report prior to 2010, 

CPSC records contain approximately 93 percent of all the fatal CO poisoning deaths that

occurred in the United States reported to NCHS. From this comparison, CPSC anticipates that 

lagged reporting for incidents that occurred in 2010 will continue. Future reports should be 

based on a higher percentage of the actual number of CO fatalities as lagged data become 

available to CPSC staff. Therefore, it is anticipated that the estimates may change noticeably in 

future reports as more data is obtained by CPSC. Appendix A of this report describes the 

process used to generate the national estimates presented in this report.

During 2010, there were an estimated 161 CO poisoning deaths associated with the use of 

a consumer product under the jurisdiction of the CPSC. CO poisoning deaths referred to in this 

report do not include those where the CO gas resulted from a fire or a motor vehicle, were 

intentional in nature, or were directly work related.

Although there can be multiple factors contributing to a CO poisoning fatality, the source 

of CO is virtually always a fuel-burning product. As mentioned earlier, poor product 

maintenance by professionals or consumers, inadequate ventilation, faulty exhaust pathways, and 

poor user judgment in operating these products can result in fatal scenarios. CPSC staff 

produces the CO estimates by associated consumer products to identify product groups involved 

in fatal CO scenarios and to monitor this distribution over time. It is within the individual, 

product-specific CPSC projects that additional analysis is done to consider whether

improvements are warranted in the areas of product design, ventilation safeguards, or user 

information and education.

The annual CO estimates for the years 2001 through 2010 are presented in two formats: 

by product category (Table 1) and by product within fuel type (Table 2). The data are presented 

as yearly estimates for each of the 10 years covered by this report and as an average of the most 

recent 3-year period (2008 through 2010). Data collection was only partially complete for 2010,

and estimates for this year may change in the future when additional data become available.

Therefore, data for 2010 are reported using italic font in the tables. 

Estimated numbers presented in this document represent national estimates of 

unintentional non-fire deaths attributed to CO poisoning associated with the use of consumer 

products. Generator and other EDT death estimates would not be expected to match observed

fatality counts presented in this report or in the CPSC report, “Incidents, Deaths, and In-Depth 

Investigations Associated with Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide from Engine-Driven Generators and 
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Other Engine-Driven Tools, 1999–2012.” 

Table 1 (pages 10−11) presents the consumer product distribution of CO poisoning 

deaths. The estimate for Heating Systems, historically a large percentage of the consumer 

product estimate, is broken down into heater system subcategories and is further distributed 

among the various fuel types. Fatality estimates for the Engine-Driven Tools category were

further distributed between generators and other engine-driven tools. The consumer product 

estimate and product distributions were derived using the methodology described in Appendix A. 

Of the estimated 161 CO poisoning deaths associated with a consumer product that 

occurred between January 2010 and December 2010, Heating Systems were associated with 58

deaths (36% of the total consumer product estimate). Of the 58 estimated deaths associated with 

heating systems, the majority (88% or 51 fatalities) involved gas heating systems. Among gas 

heating systems, natural gas heating was associated with an estimated 19 deaths (33% of heating 

system-related deaths). Liquid Petroleum gas (LP gas)4 heating was associated with an 

estimated 27 deaths (47% of heating system-related deaths); and unspecified gas heating was 

associated with an estimated 5 deaths (9% of heating system-related deaths). Oil-fueled heating 

was associated with an estimated 1 death (2% of heating system-related deaths). There was an 

estimated 1 death (2% of heating system-related deaths) associated with a kerosene-burning 

heater. There are no reported wood-, coal-, or diesel-fueled heating system fatalities in the 2010 

data. Additionally, in 2010, there were an estimated 5 CO deaths (9% of heating system-related 

deaths) associated with heating systems with unspecified fuel sources. Note that the estimates 

for individual categories may not sum to that of the broader category due to rounding effects.

Of the estimated 19 deaths in 2010 that were associated with natural gas heating systems, 

all 19 involved installed furnaces - 3 (16%) of which were described as being a wall or floor 

furnace. Of the estimated 27 deaths in 2010 that were associated with LP gas heating systems, 

19 (70%) involved unvented portable propane heaters. These unvented portable propane heaters 

were fueled by a propane tank and were not a component of an installed heating system. 

Unvented portable propane heaters were either camping heaters that used disposable propane 

tanks, 1-pound propane bottles, or tank top heaters that used bulk tanks larger than 1 pound. 

Table 1 indicates that in 2010, an estimated 17 CO deaths (11% of the 161 total consumer 

product estimate) were associated with charcoal or charcoal grills─this is the highest estimated 

annual total during the 10 years that this report covers. Additionally, in 2010, an estimated 5

deaths (3%) were associated with gas ranges or ovens; an estimated 1 death (1%) was associated 

with a coal-burning fireplace; an estimated 3 deaths were associated with other LP gas-fueled 

products; and an estimated 3 deaths were associated with other unidentified consumer products. 

Additionally, in 2010, an estimated 16 deaths were associated with multiple appliances (10% of 

the total consumer product estimate). The Multiple Products category includes all incidents 

where multiple fuel-burning products were used simultaneously, such that a single source of the 

CO could not be determined. 

An estimated 57 CO poisoning deaths (35% of the estimated total for 2010) were 

associated with the category of Engine-Driven Tools, which includes generators, riding mowers 

or garden tractors, snow blowers/throwers, and other engine-driven equipment. Additionally, 6

of the 16 Multiple Product fatalities were associated with a generator being used in conjunction 

with another fuel-burning product for an estimated total of 63 CO fatalities associated with the 

 4 In this document, references to liquid petroleum gas, or LP gas, also include propane and butane gases, the two 

primary components of LP gas.
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use of an engine-driven tool (40% of the estimated total for 2010). Generator-associated deaths 

comprised the majority of this category. An estimated 47 CO poisoning deaths were associated 

with a generator, including all of the Multiple Product fatalities involving an engine-driven tool

in 2010 (73% of all engine-driven tool fatalities and 29% of the total consumer product 

estimate). 

In recent years, the Engine-Driven Tools category has been associated with more CO 

fatalities than any other category. The estimated average number of CO fatalities associated with 

engine-driven tools (72, not including multiple product incidents) for 2008 through 2010, is 

greater than the average number associated with heating systems (52 deaths). Beginning in

2005, each year there has been a far greater number of CO fatalities associated with enginedriven tools than with heating systems, primarily due to an increase in generator-related CO 

fatalities. In 2005, there were more than double the estimated numbers of CO fatalities related to 

the use of generators from the previous year (88 versus 41, respectively). This may have been 

due to the large number of power outages across parts of the country from a number of severe 

hurricanes (including Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma) and a series of snow/ice storms in 

the Carolinas and the Midwest. The number of generator-related CO fatalities in the subsequent 

4 years remained greater than in any year prior to 2005. There have been an estimated combined 

total of 501 engine-driven tool-related CO fatalities from 2005 through 2010, compared to 323

deaths combined for heating systems. From 2001 through 2004, there were 70 percent more 

heating system-related CO fatalities (316) than engine-driven tool-related fatalities (185). (Note: 

These figures exclude fatalities associated with multiple products because these possibly could 

be categorized into both categories.) Stated differently, while heating system-related CO 

fatalities have dropped by 32 percent from an approximate estimated average of 79 per year from 

2001 through 2004, to an average of nearly 54 per year from 2005 through 2010, the estimated 

annual average number of engine-driven, tool-related CO fatalities has increased by 83 percent

over the same time period, from 46 to 84. Notably, in 2010, the estimated number of heating 

systems-related CO deaths was approximately equal to the number of engine-driven tools CO 

deaths (58 versus 57, respectively).

Table 1 shows the estimated average annual number of CO poisoning deaths associated 

with various consumer products for 2008 to 2010. The average yearly total number of CO 

deaths for this 3-year period is estimated to be 162 (with a standard error of approximately 8.7). 

The 95 percent confidence interval5 for this estimated average ranged from 125 to 200 deaths. 

Appendix B contains a graph and the data point values for the annual estimates of CO poisoning 

deaths associated with a consumer product for 1980 through 2010.

The availability of detailed information regarding the condition of products associated 

with CO fatalities varies widely. However, information collected often described conditions 

regarding compromised vent systems, flue passageways, and chimneys for furnaces, boilers, and 

other heating systems. Vent systems include the portion of piping that either connects the flue 

outlet of the appliance and exhausts air to the outside through a ceiling or sidewall, or connects

to a chimney. Some products had vents that became detached or were installed or maintained

improperly. Vents were also sometimes blocked by soot caused by inefficient combustion, 

which, in turn, may have been caused by several factors, such as leaky or clogged burners, an 

over-firing condition, or inadequate combustion air.

 5 The confidence interval is based on a t-distribution with two degrees of freedom.
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Other conditions related to furnaces included compromised heat exchangers or filter 

doors or covers that were removed or not sealed. Some products were old and apparently poorly 

maintained, such that there were several factors involved in generating and exacerbating the 

amount of CO produced. Other incidents mentioned a backdraft condition, large amounts of 

debris in the chimney, and the use of a product that was later red-tagged by the utility company 

(taken out of commission by the utility company and designated not to be turned on until 

repaired). 
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Table 1: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Associated Fuel-Burning Consumer Product, 2001–2010

2008–2010+

Consumer Product Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Heating Systems 52 32% 71 93 67 85 51 49 66 58 41 58

 Furnaces (incl. Boilers) 25 15% 26 47 29 43 14 30 29 29 16 30

 Coal * * 1 1 * 1 * * * * * *

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 3 2% 7 16 3 8 1 9 * 3 1 6

 Natural Gas 15 9% 10 21 19 23 6 19 20 18 10 16

 Oil 2 1% 3 3 1 * 2 * 5 1 3 1

 Unspecified Gas 2 1% 1 1 2 4 2 * 4 2 1 4

 Unspecified Fuel 3 2% 3 4 4 8 3 2 * 5 1 3

 Portable Heaters 14 9% 17 26 25 20 23 14 17 13 8 20

 Diesel * * * 1 * * * * * * * *

 Kerosene 2 1% 1 4 5 4 2 3 3 4 * 1

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 12 7% 16 20 18 15 19 10 14 9 8 19

 Natural Gas * * * * 2 * * * * * * *

 Unspecified Gas * * * * * 1 1 * * * * *

 Unspecified Fuel * * * * * * 1 1 * * * *

 Wall/Floor Furnaces 5 3% 18 9 4 6 2 2 9 3 6 5

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 2 1% 2 4 1 5 * * 4 1 5 1

 Natural Gas 2 1% 13 4 3 1 2 2 5 2 1 3

 Oil * * 1 * * * * * * * * *

 Unspecified Fuel < 1 < 1% 2 * * * * * * * * 1

 Room/Space Heaters 5 3% 9 10 8 12 8 1 6 5 9 1

 Coal * * 3 * * 1 1 * * * * *

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 3 2% 1 * 1 * * * 4 2 5 1

 Natural Gas 1 1% 3 5 3 6 * 1 * 2 2 *

 Wood 1 1% 1 1 2 * 2 * * 1 2 *

 Unspecified Gas * * * 3 2 4 1 * 2 * * *

 Unspecified Fuel * * * * * * 3 * * * * *

 Unspecified Heater/System 4 2% * 2 * 3 3 1 5 8 2 2

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 1 1% * * * * * * 1 2 * *

 Natural Gas * * * * * * * * 3 * * *

 Unspecified Gas 1 1% * 1 * 2 * * * 2 1 1

 Unspecified Fuel 2 1% * 1 * 1 3 1 1 4 1 1

Charcoal Grills, Charcoal 10 6% 10 11 8 3 6 10 8 7 7 17
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Table 1 (continued)

2008–2010+

Consumer Product Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Engine-Driven Tools 72 44% 21 52 56 56 102 104 79 83 76 57

 Generators 61 38% 20 42 49 41 88 85 68 76 64 43

 Other Engine-Driven Tools 11 7% 1 10 7 15 13 18 11 7 12 14

Gas Ranges or Ovens 3 2% 9 3 3 4 6 * 6 * 4 5

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas < 1 < 1% 2 * * 1 1 * 1 * * 1

 Natural Gas 2 1% 1 3 * 2 1 * 2 * 2 3

 Unspecified Gas 1 1% 6 * 3 1 3 * 3 * 2 1

Gas Water Heaters 4 2% * 1 7 2 6 4 2 6 5 *

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 1 1% * * 3 1 2 * 1 1 2 *

 Natural Gas 1 1% * 1 3 * * 3 * 1 1 *

 Oil < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * 1 * *

 Unspecified Gas 1 1% * * 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 *

 Unspecified Fuel 1 1% * * * * * * * 2 1 *

Lanterns - Liquid Petroleum (LP) 

Gas Fueled 2 1% * 2 1 3 6 3 * 4 1 *

Grills, Camp Stoves * * 1 4 1 4 * 2 2 * * *

 Kerosene * * * * * 1 * * * * * *

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas * * 1 4 1 3 * 1 1 * * *

 Unspecified Fuel * * * * * * * 1 1 * * *

Other Products 5 3% * 2 2 3 3 * 2 5 2 7

 Chimney – Unspecified Fuel * * * * * * 1 * * * * *

 Fireplace – Unspecified Gas * * * * * * * * 1 * * *

 Fireplace – Wood * * * 2 * 2 * * 1 * * *

 Fireplace – Coal < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * * * 1

 Other Products –

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 2 1% * * 2 * 1 * * 3 1 3

 Other Products – Natural Gas < 1 < 1% * * * * 1 * * * 1 *

 Unidentified Product 1 1% * * * 1 * * * * * 3

 Unidentified Product – LP Gas 1 1% * * * * * * * 2 * *

Multiple Products 13 8% 8 13 8 7 12 8 20 12 11 16

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete and data are shown in italics. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File,

 National Center for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2001–2010.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.
13 | Page

Table 2 (beginning on page 13) organizes the estimates by product within fuel type. The 

three major fuel types include: Gas-Fueled Products (natural gas and liquid petroleum [LP

including propane and butane] gas); Solid-Fueled Products (charcoal, coal, and wood); and 

Liquid-Fueled Products (gasoline, kerosene, and oil). Of these fuel types, Liquid-Fueled 

Products were associated with 63 of the 161 (39%) estimated CO fatalities in 2010. Gas-Fueled 

Products were associated with 69 (43%) estimated fatalities and Solid-Fueled Products were 

associated with 18 (11%) estimated fatalities in the same time period, respectively. An 

additional four (2%) fatalities were associated with multiple products, where there were two or 

more different categories of fuel used. (Multiproduct cases, where the fuel types were the same,

are counted in their respective category summary.) There were also eight (5%) fatalities in 2010

associated with consumer products where the fuel type was unknown.

In the Gas-Fueled Products category, the majority of CO fatalities in 2010 were 

associated with heating-related products. Of the estimated 69 gas-fueled appliance fatalities in 

2010, 50 (72%) were associated with heating systems or heaters, including furnaces, portable 

heaters, wall or floor heaters, room or space heaters, or fireplaces. Additionally, of the estimated 

seven fatalities in the Multiple Gas-Fueled Products category, all seven involved some type of 

gas heater. Of the estimated 62 liquid-fueled appliance-related fatalities in 2010, 54 (87%) were 

associated with engine-driven tools (e.g., generators, lawn mowers/garden tractors, power 

washers). Generators accounted for 40 of the estimated 62 fatalities (65%) in the Liquid- Fueled 

Products category for 2010. Additionally, all of the estimated five fatalities in the Multiple 

Liquid-Fueled Products category also involved a generator. 

In 2010, there were an estimated eighteen fatalities in the Solid-Fueled Products

category. Seventeen of these were associated with charcoal or charcoal grills and one with a 

wood-burning fireplace. Additionally, there were an estimated four CO fatalities associated with 

multiple products of different fuel types— all four involved portable heaters (kerosene- or LPfueled). 
14 | Page

Table 2: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products Organized by Fuel Type, 2001–2010

2008–2010+ Annual Estimates

Consumer Product Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Gas-Fueled Products 60 37% 66 92 70 87 53 51 80 58 53 69

 Natural Gas 22 14% 28 35 30 32 10 26 30 28 17 21

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) 15 9% 10 21 19 23 6 19 20 18 10 16

 Pool Heater * * * * * * 1 * * * * *

 Portable Heater * * * * 2 * * * * * * *

 Range/Oven 2 1% 1 3 * 2 1 * 2 * 2 3

 Room/Space Heater 2 1% 3 5 3 6 * 1 * 3 2 *

 Wall/Floor Furnace 2 1% 13 4 3 1 2 2 5 3 1 3

 Water Heater 1 1% * 1 3 * * 3 * 1 1 *

 Unspecified Heater * * * * * * * * 3 * * *

 Other Appliance < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * * 1 *

 Liquid Petroleum (LP) Gas 29 18% 30 47 31 37 30 23 26 31 23 34

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) 3 2% 7 16 3 8 1 9 * 3 1 6

 Generator 1 1% * * * * * * * * * 3

 Grill/Camp Stove * * 1 4 1 2 * 1 1 * * *

 Lantern 2 1% * 2 1 4 6 3 * 4 1 *

 Other Products 3 2% * * 1 * * * * 3 1 1

 Portable Heater 12 7% 16 20 18 15 19 10 14 9 8 19

 Range/Oven < 1 < 1% 2 * * 1 1 * 1 * * 1

 Refrigerator < 1 < 1% * * 1 * 1 * * * * 1

 Room/Space Heater 3 2% 1 * 1 * * * 4 3 5 1

 Unspecified Heater/System 1 1% * * * * * * 1 3 * *

 Wall/Floor Furnace 2 1% 2 4 1 5 * * 4 1 5 1

 Water Heater 1 1% * * 3 1 2 * 1 1 2 *

 Unspecified Gas 5 3% 7 5 8 15 11 1 11 3 5 6

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) 2 1% 1 1 2 5 2 * 4 2 1 4

 Portable Heater * * * * * 1 1 * * * * *

 Range/Oven 1 1% 6 * 3 1 3 * 3 * 2 1

 Room/Space Heater * * * 3 2 4 1 * 2 * * *

 Fireplace * * * * * * * * 1 * * *

 Water Heater 1 1% * * 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 1

 Unspecified Heater 1 1% * 1 * 2 * * * 1 1 *

 Multiple Gas-Fueled Products 6 4% 2 4 1 3 2 1 13 2 8 7
15 | Page

Table 2 (continued)

2008–2010+ Annual Estimates

Consumer Product Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Liquid-Fueled Products 80 49% 28 64 66 61 108 108 89 95 81 62

 Gasoline-Fueled 71 44% 21 52 56 56 102 104 78 82 77 54

 Generator 60 37% 20 42 49 41 88 85 68 76 64 40

 Other Engine-Driven Tools 11 7% 1 10 7 15 13 18 11 6 12 14

 Kerosene-Fueled 2 1% 1 4 5 5 2 3 3 4 * 1

 Grill/Camp Stove * * * * * 1 * * * * * *

 Portable Heater 2 1% 1 4 5 4 2 3 3 4 * 1

 Oil-Fueled 2 1% 5 3 1 * 2 * 5 2 3 1

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) 2 1% 3 3 1 * 2 * 5 1 3 1

 Water Heater < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * 1 * *

 Wall/Floor Furnace * * 1 * * * * * * * * *

 Diesel-Fueled < 1 < 1% * 1 * * * * * 1 * *

 Portable Heater * * * 1 * * * * * * * *

 Water Heater < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * 1 * *

 Multiple Liquid-Fueled 

Products 4 2% 1 4 4 * 2 1 2 5 1 5

Solid-Fueled Products 12 7% 16 15 10 8 9 10 9 8 9 18

 Charcoal-Fueled 10 6% 10 11 8 3 6 10 8 7 7 17

 Charcoal / Charcoal Grills 10 6% 10 11 8 3 6 10 8 7 7 17

 Coal-Fueled * * 5 1 * 2 1 * * * * *

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) * * 1 1 * 1 * * * * * *

 Room/Space Heater * * 3 * * 1 1 * * * * *

 Chimney / Fireplace < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * * * 1

 Wood-Fueled 1 1% 1 3 2 2 2 * 1 1 2 *

 Chimney/Fireplace * * * 2 * 2 * * 1 * * *

 Room/Space Heater 1 1% 1 1 2 * 2 * * 1 2 *
16 | Page

Table 2 (continued)

2007–2009+ Annual Estimates

Consumer Product Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Unspecified Fuel Products 7 4% 6 5 4 9 12 6 2 11 3 8

 Chimney * * * * * * 1 * * * * *

 Furnace (incl. Boilers) 3 2% 3 4 4 6 3 2 * 5 1 3

 Grill/Camp Stove * * * * * * * 1 1 * * *

 Portable Heater * * * * * * 1 1 * * * *

 Room/Space Heater * * * * * * 3 * * * * *

 Unspecified Heater 2 1% * 1 * 1 3 1 1 4 1 1

 Wall/Floor Furnace < 1 < 1% 2 * * * * * * * * 1

 Unidentified Product 1 1% * * * 1 * * * * * 3

 Water Heater 1 1% * * * * * * * 2 1 *

Multiple Product - Different 

Fuels 4 2% 5 4 4 2 8 6 5 5 2 4

 Gas & Liquid 2 1% 5 4 3 2 7 6 5 3 1 1

 Gas & Solid < 1 < 1% * * * * 1 * * * 1 *

 Liquid & Solid 1 1% * * 1 * * * * 1 * 3

 Gas & Liquid & Unspecified 1 1% * * * * * * * 2 * *

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

# In 2010, there were an estimated three CO fatalities associated with an LP-fueled welder/generator being used as a generator.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File,

 National Center for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2001–2010.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.
17 | Page

Table 3 (below) shows a breakdown of the fatality estimates for the 10-year period from 

2001 through 2010 in the Engine-Driven Tools category. During 2010, engine-driven tools were 

associated with an estimated 64 carbon monoxide poisoning deaths (40% of the total consumer 

product estimate). Table 3 totals differ from those in Tables 1 and 2 in that they also include 

fatalities associated with multiple potential CO-producing products, where at least one product 

was an engine-driven tool. In 2010, there were six such deaths—all associated with a generator 

and some other product (in both cases, some type of heater). An estimated 49 of the 63 enginedriven tool-related CO poisoning deaths (78%) were associated with generators, or generators in 

conjunction with another fuel-burning product. In 2010, the other engine-driven, tool-related CO 

fatalities included an estimated eight deaths that were associated with some type of lawn mower, 

one with an ATV, three with welders, and two were associated with other types of engine-driven 

products. 

Table 3: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with 

Engine-Driven Tools, 2001–2010

Engine-Driven Tools

2008-2010+

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percentage

Annual Estimate

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008+ 2009 2010+

Total 78 100% 27 59 63 59 110 106 85 92 78 63

Generators 60 76% 20 41 50 41 88 85 68 76 64 43

 Gasoline-fueled 20 41 50 41 88 85 68 76 64 40

 LP-fueled * * * * * * * * * 3

Other Engine-Driven 

Tools (OEDTs) 12 15% 1 10 7 15 13 18 11 6 12 14

 Lawn Mowers 5 6% 1 5 6 8 9 11 5 2 6 8

 Riding Mowers 4 5% 1 5 6 5 9 8 4 2 6 5

 Walk Behind Mowers * * * * * 1 * * * * * *

 Unspecified Mowers 1 1% * * * 1 * 3 1 * * 3

 Power Washer < 1 < 1% * * * 2 3 1 1 * 1 *

 Snow Blower/Thrower 1 1% * * * 1 * 1 2 * 3 1

 ATV 2 3% * 1 * 1 1 * * 2 * 1

 Water Pump < 1 < 1% * * * 1 * 1 1 * * 1

 Welder 1 1% * 2 1 * * * 1 1 * 3

 Air Compressor * * * * * 1 * 1 * * * *

 Concrete Saw < 1 < 1% * 1 * 1 * * * 1 * *

 Tiller < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * * 1 *

 Go-Cart < 1 < 1% * * * * * * * * 1 *

 Small Engine * * * * * * * 1 * * * *

 Snowmobile * * * * * * * 1 * * * *

Multiple Product: EngineDriven Tools Involved 6 8% 6 8 6 3 9 3 6 10 2 6

 Generator + OEDT * * 1 * * * * * * * * *

 Generator + other

 Product 5 6% 5 6 5 2 9 3 6 8 2 6

 Multiple OEDT 1 1% * * * * * * * 2 * *

 OEDT + other product * * * 1 1 1 * * * * * *

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete, and data are shown in italics. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are 

received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File,

 National Center for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2001–2010.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.
18 | Page

Figure 1 provides a graphic representation of the CO fatality trends related to: (1) all 

consumer products; (2) engine-driven tools alone, and (3) non-generator products. A regression 

analysis of the estimated number of all non-fire, consumer product-related CO poisoning 

fatalities from 2001 to 2010, indicates that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that there is 

an upward trend in the data (p-value = 0.4579). Due to reporting delays, national estimates for 

recent years, especially 2010, most likely will change in subsequent reports. As can be seen in 

Figure 1, the estimated number of non-generator CO fatalities fluctuates from year-to-year, but 

appears to be fairly steady across time. Conversely, the estimated number of generator CO 

fatalities has shown a steady rise, to peak levels in 2005 and 2006. The estimated number of 

generator CO fatalities in 2007 through 2010 is below the peak 2005 and 2006 levels, but greater 

than the years prior to 2005. Data from recent years, especially 2010, should be considered 

incomplete, and the numbers are expected to change.

Figure 1: Comparison of Trends in Consumer Product-Related Carbon Monoxide 

Deaths – 2001 to 2010

Lawnmowers were associated with 55 percent (61 of 110) of the deaths in the Other 

Engine-Driven Tools category for the 10-year period. There were two other fatalities associated 

with a lawnmower and another product in this time period—one with a generator and the other 

with a propane heater. There was an estimated average of five lawnmower-related CO fatalities 

per year in 2008 to 2010 (16 deaths). CO fatalities related to ATV exhaust were in the next 

largest subcategory with an estimated nine deaths from 2001 to 2010, and six occurred from 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Generators Non-generator Products All Products
19 | Page

2008 through 2010. Additionally, power washers, snow blowers/throwers, and welders were 

each associated with eight CO fatalities over the 10-year period.

Table 4 shows that in 2010, 95 CO incidents (86 percent of fatal CO incidents reported to 

the CPSC) involved a single death. Table 4 accounts for only the fatally injured victims in each 

CO poisoning incident. It is not uncommon for CO incidents involving one or more fatalities 

also to result in one or more nonfatal CO poisoning injuries, but they were not quantified for 

analysis in this report. These are the incidents reported in CPSC databases and do not represent 

the national estimates of fatalities per CO incident. Death certificates do not include information 

about other fatalities for the same incident. The number of fatalities for a particular incident is

based on CPSC In-Depth Investigation files and may include fatalities for which CPSC staff does 

not have death certificates. Some additional multiple fatality incidents were identified by 

matching date of death and location of death on death certificates, while others were identified 

from news articles contained in the CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident (IPII) database. 

Over the 10-year period covered by this report, CPSC records indicate that 18 percent (229 of 

1,250 incidents) resulted in multiple fatalities, including 14 incidents resulting in four or more 

CO fatalities.

Table 4: Number of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents Reported to CPSC by Number of 

Deaths per Incident, 2001–2010

Number of 

Deaths Reported 

in Incident

2008−2010+ Annual Incidents

Annual 

Average

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005# 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total Incidents 123 100% 88 130 121 127 146 123 147 141 117 110

1 102 83% 71 101 96 105 123 93 125 119 93 95

2 16 13% 15 24 21 14 17 22 13 15 19 13

3 3 2% 2 1 3 7 5 6 8 5 4 1

4 1 1% * 2 * 1 * 1 1 2 1 1

5 * * * 2 1 * * 1 * * * *

6 * * * * * * 1 * * * * *

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete, and data are shown in italics. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports 

of fatalities are received.

Note: Percentages do not add to 100% due to rounding.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

Table 5 shows that in 2010, an estimated 137 CO poisoning deaths occurred in home 

locations, including an estimated five deaths in detached structures at residential locations (i.e., 

sheds, detached garages) and seven in structures not intended originally as a permanent residence

(i.e., camper trailers, sea-land shipping containers). From 2008 to 2010, an annual average of 

132 CO poisoning deaths (81% of all CO fatalities) occurred at home locations. In 2010, an 

estimated 18 deaths took place in temporary shelters, such as tents, ice fishing sheds, and boats. 

For 2008 to 2010, an annual average of 19 CO poisoning deaths (12%) took place in temporary

shelters. In 2010, CO deaths in temporary shelters were most commonly associated with heating

sources, generators, or lanterns. An estimated 8 of 18 (44%) CO deaths in temporary shelters 

were associated with LP-fueled products, including portable heaters and water heaters. In 2010, 

an estimated eight deaths (44%) in temporary shelters involved charcoal grills.
20 | Page

A consistently small percentage of deaths due to CO poisoning involving a consumer 

product occurred in vehicles, such as passenger vans, trucks, automobiles, recreational vehicles, 

campers, or boats. In 2010, there were an estimated 5 (3%) CO fatalities in this category─4 

deaths were associated with generators, and 1 with portable LP heaters. For 2008 to 2010, an 

annual average of 9 CO poisoning deaths (6%) took place in vehicles. 

Table 5: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Location of Death, 2001−2010

Location of Death

2008−2010+ Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate 

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Home1 119 73% 78 121 109 121 120 119 138 124 109 125

Home – External

 Structure2 8 5% 8 15 11 10 16 14 11 13 7 5

Home – But Not

 House3 5 3% 5 8 2 * 6 4 4 6 1 7

Temporary Shelter 19 12% 17 32 22 22 32 36 22 20 18 18

Vehicles (including 

 boats) 9 6% 13 4 9 8 14 6 8 9 12 5

Other 1 1% * * * 8 2 1 2 3 * 1

Unknown 1 1% * * 2 * * * * 2 * *

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete, and data are shown in italics. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more 

reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

Note: Percentages do not add to 100% due to rounding.

1 Traditional home (e.g., detached house, townhouse, apartment, mobile home)

2 External structure at residential locations (e.g., detached garage, shed)

3 Non-fixed structure or structure not originally designed for permanent occupation (e.g., camper trailer, van, converted sea-land shipping

container).

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center

 for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2001–2010.

CPSC data indicate that there were more CO fatalities attributable to incidents that 

occurred in the cold months than in the warm months. This is most likely because of the use of 

furnaces and portable heaters in the cold months. Additionally, generators are often used in the 

cold months because of power outages due to snow and ice storms. Table 6 shows the annual 

estimated CO fatalities categorized by month of death for the 10 years covered by this report. In 

2010, 106 of the 161 estimated CO fatalities (66%) are attributable to incidents that occurred 

during the cold months of November, December, January, and February. An estimated 37

fatalities (23%) are attributable to incidents that occurred during the transition months of March, 

April, September, and October; and an estimated 18 fatalities (11%) in the warm months of May, 

June, July, and August. Over the 10 years this report spans, an estimated 59 percent of CO 

fatalities are attributable to incidents that occurred during the cold months; an estimated 27

percent are attributable to incidents that occurred during the transition months; and an estimated 

13 percent of fatalities occurred in the warm months.
21 | Page

Table 6: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Month and 

Year of the Fatality, 2001–2010

Month of Death

2008−2010+ Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate 

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Cold Months 100 62% 86 94 96 107 98 95 109 110 85 106

 November 19 12% 13 27 32 26 18 23 21 28 12 18

 December 26 16% 24 26 30 27 33 38 25 25 20 33

 January 33 20% 26 20 22 34 37 14 43 31 29 40

 February 22 14% 23 21 12 20 10 20 20 26 24 15

Transition

 Months 37 23% 28 67 39 41 62 56 49 34 41 37

 March 15 9% 3 28 8 10 19 19 19 7 12 25

 April 7 4% 13 9 13 8 9 16 15 7 8 6

 September 5 3% 5 5 9 14 17 7 1 7 4 3

 October 11 7% 7 25 9 9 17 14 14 13 17 3

Warm Months 24 15% 7 19 19 19 31 29 29 32 21 18

 May 10 6% 5 4 3 5 4 9 9 16 5 9

 June 8 5% * 5 7 6 9 3 4 8 10 5

 July 3 2% * 2 6 4 12 4 5 3 4 3

 August 3 2% 2 8 3 4 6 13 11 5 2 1

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / EPHA.

CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health 

 Statistics Mortality File, 1999– 2010.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.

Figure 2 illustrates the relationship between the time of year and the estimated number of 

CO poisoning fatalities. The total estimated number of CO poisoning fatalities is presented on 

the radar graph by month of death. The shaded area represents the estimated total number of 

fatalities for 2001 through 2010, for each month. Notably, more CO deaths occur in the cold 

months, particularly, November, December, and January, than in warm months. Additionally, as 

the months after the summer get colder, the number of CO fatalities increases. Conversely, as 

the months after the winter get warmer, the number of fatalities decreases.
22 | Page

Figure 2: Estimated Number of Consumer Product-Related Carbon Monoxide 

Deaths by Month of Death, 2001–2010

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Deaths
23 | Page

Demographics of Fatalities from Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Associated with the 

Use of Consumer Products

Table 7 shows the estimated number of CO poisoning fatalities categorized by victim age 

for the 10 most recent years of data (2001–2010). From the data, it appears that consumer 

product-related CO fatalities are skewed toward older individuals. For the three most recent 

years (2008–2010), children younger than 15 years of age accounted for an annual average of 4

percent (an estimated 6 of 162) of the yearly CO poisoning deaths, while this age group 

represents an average of about 20 percent of the U.S. population. The annual average percentage 

of deaths represented by adults 45 years and older was 60 percent (97 of 162) in 2008 to 2010,

while only about 39 percent of the U.S. population is over 45 years old. In 2008 to 2010, adults 

age 65 years and older accounted for an annual average percentage of 19 percent of CO 

poisoning fatalities, although this age group is about 13 percent of the U.S. population.

6

 Chisquare goodness-of-fit test results indicate that there is a statistically significant difference (pvalue = < 0.0001) between the proportion of CO victims in each age group from that of the 

general U.S. population. Each age group was analyzed separately, versus the expected 

proportion of the respective age group, based on U.S. population figures, assuming there was no 

age group effect on the CO poisoning fatality rate, to determine which age group proportions 

were significantly different from expectation. Binomial tests indicate that all individual groups, 

with the exception of the “25-44” group, were found to be significantly different than what 

would be expected if there was no population group effect:

1. The “Under 15” group7 was significantly lower (< 0.0001);

2. The “15–24” group was significantly lower (0.0494);

3. The “45–64” group was significantly higher (< 0.0001); and

4. The “65 and older” group was significantly higher (0.0367).

Table 7: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Age of Victim, 2001–2010

Age

2008–20010+ Estimated 

Percentage 

of U.S. 

Population#

Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Under 5 2 1% 7% 3 2 6 3 * 2 8 2 3 1

5 - 14 4 2% 13% 6 9 9 11 7 4 6 8 2 1

15 - 24 14 9% 14% 16 11 17 4 17 21 18 15 14 12

25 - 44 46 28% 27% 23 56 46 43 46 59 34 54 43 40

45 - 64 67 41% 26% 39 51 55 68 86 58 70 68 59 74

65 and 

over 30 19% 13% 33 51 21 39 34 36 49 30 27 33

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

# Based on average estimated U.S. population statistics for 2008 to 2010.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health Statistics 

 Mortality File, 1999 - 2010.

 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.

 6 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012. 7 “Under 5” and “5–14” groups were combined due to small sample sizes.
24 | Page

Table 8 presents the distribution of estimated CO fatalities categorized by gender. In 

2010, 77 percent of CO poisoning victims were males, and 23 percent were females. These

percentages varied slightly from year to year over the 10 years of this report, but every year there 

are many more male CO fatalities than female. Over the years, 2001 through 2010, the average 

percentage of male CO victims was 74 percent, and the average percentage of female victims 

was 26 percent. By contrast, about 49 percent of the U.S. population is male, and 51 percent are 

female.

8

 Chi-square goodness-of-fit test results indicate that there is a statistically significant 

difference (p-value = < 0.0001) between the proportion of CO victims by gender group and that 

of the general U.S. population.

 Table 8: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Gender of Victim, 2001-2010

Gender

2008−2010+ Estimated 

Percentage of 

U.S. Population#

Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Male 124 77% 49% 82 126 118 123 140 145 132 140 109 124

Female 38 23% 51% 39 54 37 45 50 36 53 36 39 38

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

# Based on average estimated U.S. population statistics for 2008 to 2010.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health Statistics

 Mortality File, 2001–2010.

 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.

Table 9 provides a summary of CO fatality victims characterized by race/ethnicity for the 

years 2001 through 2010. Because of the growing proportion of the U.S. population of Hispanic 

descent, Hispanic victims were categorized separately, irrespective of their race. Estimates of 

the percentage of the U.S. population categorized into the various race/ethnicity groupings were 

based on single-race characterizations, as represented in the U.S. Census Bureau reports. 

Multirace population counts were omitted from the calculations because death certificates, the 

primary source of race/ethnicity designations, often list only a single race/ethnicity designation. 

The estimated percentage of the 2008–2010 annual average of non-Hispanic white CO 

fatalities closely mirrors the percentage of the U.S. population9 at 61 percent and 64 percent, 

respectively. However, there appears to be a disproportionate number of Black or African 

American victims of CO poisoning, comprising 20 percent of all CO poisoning fatalities, even 

though Blacks or African Americans represent only about 12 percent of the U.S. population. By 

contrast, the proportion of the CO poisoning fatality victims who were of Hispanic ethnicity

(9%) is below the percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. population (16%). Chi-square goodnessof-fit test results indicate that there is a significant statistical difference (p-value = 0.0018) 

between the proportion of CO victims categorized by race/ethnicity from that of the general U.S. 

population. Each race/ethnicity group was analyzed separately, versus the expected proportion 

of the respective race/ethnicity group based on U.S. population figures, assuming there was no 

race/ethnicity group effect on the CO poisoning fatality rate, to determine which race/ethnicity 

group proportions were significantly greater than or less than the expectation. Binomial tests 

 8 Average of 2012 U.S. Census estimates for 2008 through 2010 for the U.S. population.

9 The “percentage of the U.S. population” is defined here as the average of the 2012 U.S. Census estimates for 2008 

through 2010 for the U.S. population.
25 | Page

indicate that two race/ethnicity groups were statistically significantly different from the expected 

proportion based on the U.S. population. The observed proportion of Hispanic CO fatalities was 

significantly lower (p-value < 0.05) than the proportion of Hispanics in the U.S. population. 

Additionally, the observed proportion of Black or African American CO fatalities was

significantly higher (p-value < 0. 05) than the proportion of Black or African Americans in the 

U.S. population.

Table 9: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Race/Ethnicity, 2001−2010

Country of Origin

2008−2010+ Estimated 

Percentage 

of U.S. 

Population#

Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

 White (non-Hispanic) 99 61% 64% 86 138 102 116 134 107 122 122 93 82

 Black or 

 African American 32 20% 12% 19 20 26 27 36 36 35 30 20 46

 Hispanic (All races) 14 9% 16% 9 14 14 20 15 19 23 14 11 18

 Asian / Pacific 3 2% 5% 1 4 10 2 2 13 3 1 3 4

 American Indian 4 2% 1% 3 2 2 * * 6 1 5 1 5

 Unknown / Other 10 6% 2% 1 1 * 2 2 * 2 4 19 8

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

# Based on estimated U.S. population statistics the mid-range 2009.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health Statistics

 Mortality File, 2001–2010.

 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.

Table 10 provides a breakout of the CO poisoning fatalities characterized by population 

density of the incident location. The table is presented as three sections: (1) incidents occurring 

at all incident locations; (2) incidents occurring in locations identified as a permanent home (e.g., 

house, apartment, mobile home); and (3) incidents occurring only in non-home locations (e.g., 

camper trailer, tent, motel room). Please note that “Home Locations” and “Non-Home 

Locations” sum to “All Locations.” 

All fatal incidents were designated as occurring in one of four rural/urban categories 

based on the Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) codes developed by the Economic 

Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The categories are 

based on theoretical concepts used by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to 

define county-level metropolitan and micropolitan areas.

10 This 33-category classification 

system is based on measures of population density, urbanization, and daily commuting. The 

OMB methodology is based on a county-level delineation. ERS refined the methodology by 

applying it to smaller census tracts. The WWAMI Rural Health Research Center at the 

University of Washington11 further delineated the characterization by cross-referencing each zip 

code in the United States to its RUCA code classification. The zip code cross-reference was 

 10 2010 Standards for Delineating Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas; Notice, Federal Register, June 

28, 2010, Part IV.

11 The WWAMI name is derived from the first letter of each of the five cooperating states in a partnership between 

the University of Washington School of Medicine and the states of Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. 
26 | Page

used to characterize each of the CO fatalities into one of four broad categories: Urban Core, SubUrban, Large Rural Town, and Small Town/Rural Isolated.

Table 10 also includes the estimated percentage of the U.S. population, per population 

density designation category. As can be seen in the All Locations section, the estimated average 

percentage of CO fatalities during the 3-year period 2008 through 2010, in urban locations 

(53%), is smaller than the percentage of the U.S. population living in urban core locations (72%). 

The difference is offset by the larger percentages the other three categories: sub-urban locations 

(11% versus 9% of the U.S. population), large rural town locations (17% versus 10%), and small 

town/rural isolated locations (19% versus 9%). A look at the section, Non-Home Locations, 

helps to identify some of the disparity. An average of 33 percent of all non-home CO fatalities 

occurred in small town/rural isolated locations, even though the U.S. population living in isolated 

locations is only 9 percent. In 2008 through 2010, an estimated average of 10 of 30 CO 

poisoning fatalities in non-home locations occurred in small town/rural isolated locations. Two 

factors may help to explain the relatively high proportion of small town/isolated rural location 

CO fatalities. Many non-home locations where CO fatalities occurred were tents, camper 

trailers, or cabins in isolated locations, used during hunting or camping activities where no local 

power utility is available. In these cases, individuals often resort to generators for power and use

portable LP heaters, lanterns, and stoves.

Another possible factor in the elevated percentage of small town/isolated rural location 

CO fatalities is the isolated nature of these locations. Being isolated from friends, family, and 

neighbors, victims often have little day-to-day interaction with others, so discovery is often days 

later, instead of perhaps, hours, which could make the difference between life and death. Small 

towns or isolated rural locations may also be a factor when it comes to rescue and hospital 

services, which may be very far away.
27 | Page

Table 10: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Population Density 

of Place of Death, 2001–2010

RUCA Population 

Density Designation

2008−2010+ Estimated 

Percentage of 

U.S. Population#

Annual Estimate

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

All Locations 162 100% 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

 Urban Core

 Sub-Urban

 Large Rural Town

 Small Town/

 Rural Isolated

86

18

28

30

 53%

 11%

 17%

 19%

72%

9%

10%

 9%

68

22

16

15

100

24

31

26

110

11

8

25

112

27

14

15

119

21

20

30

122

22

12

23

110

19

18

39

95

19

36

27

74

23

13

38

89

13

34

26

Home Locations 132 100% 100% 90 144 121 131 141 139 153 142 117 137

 Urban Core

 Sub-Urban

 Large Rural Town

 Small Town/ 

 Rural Isolated

75

14

23

20

 57%

 11%

 17%

 15%

72%

9%

10%

 9%

52

17

11

10

86

19

27

12

92

11

8

10

91

21

10

9

89

19

18

15

107

16

8

8

93

16

16

28

80

17

28

17

62

16

13

26

83

10

27

17

Non-Home Locations 30 100% 100% 31 36 32 36 48 43 32 34 30 25

 Urban Core

 Sub-Urban

 Large Rural Town

 Small Town/ 

 Rural Isolated

10

4

5

10

 33%

 13%

 17%

 33%

72%

9%

10%

 9%

16

5

5

5

14

4

4

14

17

*

*

15

20

5

4

7

30

2

2

14

16

7

4

16

17

3

2

10

15

2

8

9

11

7

*

12

5

3

8

9

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

* No reports received by CPSC staff.

# Estimated 2010 U.S. population categorized by Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) designation. U.S. population estimates by RUCA classification were determined by crossreferencing the WWAMI RUCA zip code table with the 2010 U.S. Census population estimates by zip code area, the most current census data available by zip code area.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health Statistics

 Mortality File, 2001–2010.

 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012.

Table 11 provides a breakout of the CO poisoning fatalities characterized by geographic 

region where the incident occurred. As can be seen in the table, for the most part, the percentage 

of CO fatalities in each of the regions reflects the percentage of the U.S. population living in 

these regions. This would indicate that geographic location has little effect on the likelihood of 

fatal CO poisoning incidents. There are, however, a few exceptions that should be pointed out. 

The Midwest region, as a whole, exhibited a far greater than expected number of CO deaths. 

Thirty-three percent of the estimated CO fatalities in 2008 through 2010 occurred in Midwest 

states where only 22 percent of the U.S. population lives. Conversely, the South Atlantic states 

of the South region accounted for 13 percent of the CO deaths where 19 percent of the U.S. 

population lives. The Middle Atlantic states of the North East region accounted for 8 percent of 

the CO deaths where 13 percent of the U.S. population lives. And the Pacific states of the West 

region also accounted for fewer CO deaths than expected (10% of the deaths, 16% of the 

population).
28 | Page

Table 11: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths by Geographical Region of 

Incident, 2001–2010

Region‡

2008–2010+

Estimated 

Percentage of 

US Population#

Annual Estimates

Average 

Estimate

Average 

Percent 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010+

Total 162 100% 100% 121 181 153 168 190 180 186 178 148 161

Northeast 21 13% 18% 11 18 24 16 33 24 44 28 14 21

 New England 7 4% 5% 1 6 3 7 7 8 10 12 5 5

 Middle Atlantic 13 8% 13% 10 12 21 10 26 16 34 16 9 15

South 54 33% 37% 38 69 53 58 74 57 61 51 55 56

 East South Central 14 9% 6% 6 12 15 16 9 10 9 10 19 13

 South Atlantic 21 13% 19% 11 38 25 21 41 26 25 21 13 28

 West South Central 20 12% 12% 21 19 12 21 24 21 27 21 23 15

Midwest 53 33% 22% 28 58 41 49 46 54 47 58 48 52

 East North Central 36 22% 15% 14 38 34 30 31 40 25 39 28 42

 West North Central 16 10% 7% 14 20 7 19 15 14 22 18 20 10

West 34 21% 23% 44 33 33 37 33 46 33 40 31 32

 Mountain 17 10% 7% 24 21 12 20 18 21 17 25 16 9

 Pacific 17 10% 16% 20 12 20 16 15 24 17 15 14 23

‡ Region designation is based on U.S. Census Bureau reporting practices. See Appendix C for identification of specific regional designation of state of occurrence.

+ Data collection for 2010 is only partially complete. Italicized estimates may change in the future if more reports of fatalities are received.

# Based on estimated 2009 U.S. population statistics. This is the latest available data for this Density Designation characterization and represents a midpoint value in 

the 2008 to 2010 range.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA.

 CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, CPSC Injury or Potential Injury Incident File, National Center for Health Statistics

 Mortality File, 2001–2010.

 U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012.

Note: Reported annual estimates and estimated averages and percentages may not add to subtotals or totals due to rounding.
29 | Page

Appendix A: Methodology

This appendix describes the data sources and methodology used to compute the national 

estimate of non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths associated with the use of 

consumer products and the estimates by product, victim age, and incident location.

All death certificates filed in the United States are compiled by the National Center for 

Health Statistics (NCHS) into a multiple cause of mortality data file. The NCHS Mortality File 

contains demographic and geographic information, as well as the International Statistical 

Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes for the underlying cause of death. 

Data are compiled in accordance with the World Health Organization instructions, which request 

that member nations classify causes of death by the current Manual of the International 

Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. The International 

Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was implemented in 1999. Although the 

NCHS data contain cause of death codes that are helpful in identifying deaths due to CO 

poisoning, the records do not contain any narrative information that might indicate the 

involvement of a consumer product.

To complement the NCHS mortality data, CPSC staff purchases death certificates from 

the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. Specifically, CPSC staff purchases 

death certificates with certain cause-of-death codes for which there is a high probability that 

consumer products are involved. In addition to the cause-of-death codes and demographic and 

geographic information, the death certificate contains information about the incident location and 

a brief narrative describing the incident. Any references to consumer products are usually found 

in these narratives. As resources allow, CPSC staff conducts follow-up In-Depth Investigations 

(IDIs) on selected deaths to confirm and expand upon the involvement of consumer products.

ICD-10 classifies deaths associated with CO poisoning with the codes listed below. The 

focus of this report is accidental CO poisoning deaths and concentrates on deaths coded as X47 

and Y17. That is, code X67─records of intentional CO poisonings─are excluded from this 

analysis.

ICD-10 Code Definition

X47 Accidental– Poisoning by and exposure to other gases and vapors.

Includes: carbon monoxide, lacrimogenic gas, motor (vehicle) exhaust gas, 

nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, utility gas.

X67 Intentional– Poisoning by and exposure to other gases and vapors.

Includes: carbon monoxide, lacrimogenic gas, motor (vehicle) exhaust gas, 

nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, utility gas.

Y17 Undetermined intent– Poisoning by and exposure to other gases and vapors.

Includes: carbon monoxide, lacrimogenic gas, motor (vehicle) exhaust gas, 

nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, utility gas.

The first step in compiling the annual estimates is computing the total estimates of CO 

poisoning deaths associated with consumer products. The CPSC’s Death Certificate (DTHS) 
30 | Page

File and the CPSC’s Abbreviated Death Certificate (ABDT) File were searched for cases 

associated with ICD-10 codes X47 and Y17. 

Each death found in the CPSC’s DTHS File and coded as X47 or Y17 was reviewed by 

an analyst and categorized as in scope, out of scope, or whether the source of the CO was 

unknown or questionable. In-scope cases are unintentional, non-fire CO poisoning deaths 

associated with a consumer product under the jurisdiction of the CPSC. Out-of-scope cases are 

cases that involve CO sources that are not under the jurisdiction of the CPSC (including motor 

vehicle exhaust cases), fire or smoke-related exposures, or intentional CO poisonings. Examples 

of out-of-scope cases include: poisonings due to gases other than CO (i.e., natural gas, ammonia, 

butane); motor vehicle exhaust- or boat exhaust-related poisonings; and work-related exposures. 

The source of CO was classified as unknown or questionable in cases where a consumer product 

was possibly associated with the incident, but the exact source of CO was unknown. 

Deaths found in the CPSC’s ABDT File are categorized as out-of-scope cases. The 

ABDT File contains death certificates for CO poisonings (X47 and Y17) that involve motor 

vehicle exhaust, cases where the source of the CO is unknown, or where the death certificate 

does not mention a consumer product. Other examples of out-of-scope cases that may appear in 

the abbreviated file are cases associated with farm accidents, smoke inhalation from a structural 

fire, or other gas poisonings. Occasionally, newer information from CPSC IDIs may be matched 

with ABDT cases that were classified as having no known source or did not mention a consumer 

product. In the cases where the CPSC IDIs indicate the CO source was from a consumer product

and should be considered in scope, it was assumed that the death certificate was misclassified,

and the subject cases in the ABDT File were included with the DTHS database files. 

In previous years, a small number of cases in the ABDT File were identified as in scope,

based on further information collected during IDIs. The method used to identify three deaths in 

1999, and two deaths in 2000, is found in Appendix A of the 1999 and 2000 Annual Estimate 

Report (Vagts, 2003). For 2001 data, no ABDT File cases were reclassified as in scope, based 

on additional information. For the 2002 data, additional information on one incident in the 

ABDT File resulted in the incident being reclassified as in scope. This fatality was not included 

in the NCHS file. Because the incident was not included in the NCHS data, it was also removed 

from the ABDT File; thus, the incident was not used in calculations for the weights. For the 

2003 data, there were seven reclassified in-scope cases in the ABDT File and five in 2004. For 

the 2005 data, one case from the ABDT File was reclassified as an in-scope case. For the 2006 

data, three cases from the ABDT were reclassified. And for 2007, three more cases were 

reclassified. For 2008, 2009, and 2010, no ABDT records were reclassified as in scope.

Since the release of the previous annual report, additional records have been entered into 

the CPSC databases, and therefore, the resultant initial categorization for 2008 through 2010 has

been recalculated and is presented in Tables A.1.a through A.1.c.
31 | Page

Table A.1.a: Initial Categorization for 2008 Data

ICD-10 

Code

NCHS 

Total

DTHS File

Total in 

ABDT File

Total in 

CPSC 

Databases1

Number of 

Cases to be 

Imputed2

In-Scope Unknown 

Scope

Out-ofScope Total

X47 677 166 22 198 386 296 682 17

Y17 68 6 6 22 34 26 60 14

Total 745 172 28 220 420 322 742 31

Table A.1.b: Initial Categorization for 2009 Data

ICD-10 

Code

NCHS 

Total

DTHS File

Total in 

ABDT File

Total in 

CPSC 

Databases1

Number of 

Cases to be 

Imputed2

In-Scope Unknown 

Scope

Out-ofScope Total

X47 734 145 17 237 399 387 786 -35

Y17 72 2 4 25 31 25 56 20

Total 806 147 21 262 430 412 842 -15

Table A.1.c: Initial Categorization for 2010 Data

ICD-10 

Code

NCHS 

Total

DTHS File

Total in 

ABDT File

Total in 

CPSC 

Databases1

Number of 

Cases to be 

Imputed2

In-Scope Unknown 

Scope

Out-ofScope Total

X47 675 119 18 196 333 219 552 141

Y17 98 7 2 25 34 31 65 35

Total 773 126 20 221 367 250 617 176

1 “Total in ABDT File” cases, plus “Total” from DTHS File.

2 “NCHS Total” cases, minus “Total in CPSC Database,” plus “Unknown Scope” from DTHS.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA. 

CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, Abbreviated Death Certificate File, National Center for Health 

Statistics Mortality File, 2008–2010.

The proportion of death certificates found in the CPSC database associated with non-fire 

unintentional X47 or Y17 deaths and associated with consumer products was applied to the 

NCHS totals to calculate the total estimated number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated 

with consumer products. In theory, the NCHS totals comprise all death certificates in the United 

States, and the same proportion of in-scope cases should exist in the death certificates that are 

missing from the combined CPSC Death Certificate and Abbreviated Death Certificate files or 

are from an unknown source. Applying the proportion of in-scope cases to the NCHS database 

totals, therefore, should provide an estimate of in-scope cases nationwide. This was done in the 

following way and was done for ICD-10 codes X47 and Y17, separately:
32 | Page

1. The number of in-scope deaths in the CPSC’s Death Certificate File coded as X47 or Y17 

separately that were associated with an accidental non-fire CO poisoning and a consumer 

product were identified (n1).

2. The total number of deaths in the CPSC’s Death Certificate File and the Abbreviated 

Death Certificate File coded as X47 or Y17 were summed separately, excluding cases with an 

unknown or highly questionable source (n2).

3. The total number of deaths in the NCHS data associated with X47 and Y17 was counted 

(n3).

4. The estimate of the number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer 

products in codes X47 and Y17 was calculated separately, using the formula:

N= (n1 / n2) * n3

The proportion (n1 /n2) represents the number of in-scope cases found in the CPSC’s files,

divided by the total of in-scope and out-of-scope cases. 

5. The estimates of the number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated 

with consumer products in codes X47 and Y17 were summed to calculate the total 

estimate of non-fire CO poisoning deaths.

Total Estimate = NX47 + NY17

The ratio (n3 / n2) represents the weighting factor used to calculate the annual estimates. 

The CPSC’s Death Certificate File does not contain death certificates for all deaths listed in the 

NCHS file; therefore a weighting factor was calculated to account for death certificates that are 

missing. The weighting factor allows the computation of national estimates of CO deaths by 

consumer products and by other characteristics collected by CPSC about each death.

Table A.2 contains the values for the variables used in the calculation, as well as the final 

computed 2008, 2009 and 2010 estimates of CO poisoning deaths. 

Table A.2.a: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2008 Estimate of Non-Fire CO 

Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer Products

Variable

ICD-10 Code

X47 Y17

n1 166 6

n2 682-22 = 660 60-6 = 54

n3 677 68

Weighting Factor (n3 / n2) 1.0258 1.2593

N 170.2758 7.5556

Total Estimate {170.2758 + 7.5556 = 177.8314 ~ 178}
33 | Page

Table A.2.b: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2009 Estimate of Non-Fire CO Poisoning 

Deaths Associated with Consumer Products

Variable

ICD-10 Code

X47 Y17

n1 145 2

n2 786-17 = 769 56-4 = 52

n3 734 72

Weighting Factor (n3 / n2) 1.0000+ 1.3846

N 145.0000 2.7692

Total Estimate {145.0000 + 2.7692 = 147.7692 ~ 148}

+ CPSC records contain more X47 records than NCHS does. This is possible since NCHS staff reviews each death certificate and, occasionally, 

reclassify the ICD-10 code. CPSC receives death certificates directly from the states and does not have access to any reclassification. 

Therefore, since CPSC X47 records exceed NCHS X47 records, no scaling factor is applied (i.e., the weighting factor is set to unity).

Table A.2.c: Calculation Detail of the Final Computed 2010 Estimate of Non-Fire CO Poisoning 

Deaths Associated with Consumer Products

Variable

ICD-10 Code

X47 Y17

n1 119 7

n2 552-18 = 534 65-2 = 63

n3 675 98

Weighting Factor (n3 / n2) 1.2640 1.5556

N 150.4213 10.8889

Total Estimate {150.4213 + 10.8889 = 161.3102 ~ 161}

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA. 

CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, Abbreviated Death Certificate File, National 

Center for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2010.

It should be noted that death certificates received by NCHS are routinely checked for 

accuracy of state personnel identified ICD-10 coding. On occasion, NCHS staff will correct 

codes before entering the data into their databases. The death certificate facsimiles or electronic 

death certificates that CPSC receives are direct from the states, and therefore, have not been 

corrected per NCHS procedures. As a consequence, there may be slight discrepancies between 

final NCHS counts and CPSC records, which are not due to CPSC simply not having the records, 

but instead, may be due to corrections made at NCHS. Because CPSC receives the death 

certificates directly from the states, CPSC records do not contain information from NCHS when 

an ICD-10 code changed for a specific death certificate; so CPSC staff has no way of correcting 

CPSC records to come into accord with NCHS records. For this report, CPSC staff has made the 

assumption that, over time, the number of death certificates with ICD-10 codes changed by 

NCHS staff to the codes of interest (X47 and Y17) would approximately equal those changed 

from the code of interest. 

Table A.3 shows the weighting factors used to calculate the estimates for the years 2001–

2010, based on the information available to CPSC staff.
34 | Page

Table A.3: CO Fatality Cases and Weighting Factors Used to Calculate the 

Estimates for the Years 2001–2010

Year NCHS Total

Total in 

CPSC 

Databases*

In-Scope 

Cases+ Weighting Factor

2001

X47 596 520 102 1.1462

Y17 79 62 3 1.2742

2002

X47 642 599 168 1.0718

Y17 71 61 1 1.1639

2003

X47 633 625 149 1.0128

Y17 89 75 2 1.1867

2004

X47 566 527 154 1.0740

Y17 86 72 2 1.1944

2005

X47 650 590 171 1.1017

Y17 92 70 1 1.3143

2006

X47 585 527 161 1.1101

Y17 74 53 1 1.3962

2007

X47 605 580 173 1.0431

Y17 89 68 4 1.3088

2008

X47 677 660 166 1.0258

Y17 68 54 6 1.2593

2009

X47 734 769 145 1.0000

Y17 72 52 2 1.3846

2010

X47 675 534 119 1.2640

Y17 98 63 7 1.5556

+ For some years, the number of in-scope cases has changed slightly from the previous report, due to either newly obtained 

information or a recharacterization of a few cases.

* This is the total number of deaths in the Death Certificate File and Abbreviated Death Certificate File, excluding deaths associated 

with an unknown or questionable source of CO. 

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA. 

CPSC Death Certificate File, CPSC In-Depth Investigation File, Abbreviated Death Certificate File, 

National Center for Health Statistics Mortality File, 2001–2010.
35 | Page

Incidents with unknown or highly questionable CO sources were excluded from the 

denominator (the number of fatalities in the CPSC databases) of the weighting factor. The group 

of cases with unknown or highly questionable sources was assumed to contain the same 

proportion of cases associated with a consumer product as the group of cases within the CPSC 

database with known CO sources (this is the same assumption that is made for those cases where 

the death certificate is missing). To include these cases within the denominator assumes that 

these cases can be classified as in-scope or out-of-scope cases, when actually their scope status is 

unknown. Therefore, for weighting purposes, cases where the source was unknown, or highly 

questionable, were treated in the same way as missing cases were treated.

In-scope cases were examined further to determine which product was associated with 

the incident. Further information on the CO deaths was obtained from review of the CPSC’s IDI

File.

Reports of non-fire CO poisoning deaths were retrieved from the DTHS and ABDT files 

based on the following criteria: date of death between 1/1/2001 and 12/31/2010, and ICD-10 

code of X47 or Y17. Death certificates entered into the CPSC’s database prior to July 23, 2013,

were included in this analysis. Whenever possible, each CO death was reviewed and coded by 

the author, according to the consumer product and type of fuel involved, incident location, and 

whether multiple deaths resulted in the same incident. If information about the product’s 

condition, venting system, or installation environment was provided in the IDI report, then this 

information was coded for informational purposes.

In Table 1 of this report, the Heating Systems category includes CO poisoning fatalities 

from subcategories for furnaces and boilers (combined under the heading of Furnaces), vented 

floor and wall heaters, unvented room/space heaters, unvented portable heaters, and other 

miscellaneous heating systems. Each subcategory is further delineated by fuel type used. Deaths 

associated with charcoal being burned alone and in the absence of an appliance (e.g., in a pail or 

in the sink) were presented with Charcoal Grills, even though this practice usually was done for 

heating purposes. Examples of products historically included in the Other Products category 

include LP gas refrigerators and gas pool heaters. LP gas grill, LP fish cooker, and other LP gas 

portable cooking appliance incidents are classified in the Grills, Camp Stoves category. Deaths 

where multiple fuel-burning products were used simultaneously, such that a single source of the 

fatal CO could not be determined, were classified under Multiple Products. Engine-Driven

Tools included generators and power gardening equipment, such as power lawn mowers, garden 

tractors, concrete cutters, gasoline-powered water pumps, and snow blowers. Generators that 

were original equipment installed on a recreational vehicle (RV), trailer, camper, or boat were 

considered out of scope, as they are outside the jurisdiction of the CPSC.
36 | Page

Appendix B: National Estimates of Consumer Product-Related CO Poisoning Deaths, 1980 

to 2010

Figure B.1 below graphically suggests a trend of the estimated CO fatalities from 1980 to 

2010. Before the implementation of the ICD-10 coding in 1999, the estimated number of nonfire, consumer product-related CO poisoning deaths decreased from the early 1980s to the late 

1990s, from a high of 340 in 1982, to a low of 180 in both 1997 and 1998. In 1999, there were 

an estimated 108 consumer product-related CO fatalities, well below the estimated 180 deaths in 

each of the two previous years. The difference may be due, in part, to the change from ICD-9 

coding to ICD-10 coding, where product identification could be assessed more accurately.

Figure B.1: Estimated Non-Fire CO Poisoning Deaths Associated with 

Consumer Products: 1980–2010

* Implementation of ICD-10.

Table B.1 presents the annual estimates from 1980 to 2010, and the 3-year average 

mortality rates associated with each year, where 3 years of data were available. The 3-year 

average mortality rate is presented in the table for the mid-point year. The estimated 3-year 

average mortality rate decreased from the 1982 high of 14.02 per 10 million population, to a 3-

year average rate of 4.34 per 10 million in 2000, a reduction of 69 percent. Subsequently, the 3-

year average rate has been increasing annually through 2006, to a rate of 6.21. Since 2006, the 

rate has been slowly dropping to the current 2009 estimate of 5.29. But the 2009 estimate is still 

22 percent above the 2000 low average. The year 2009 is the last year for which data are

available to calculate a 3-year average.

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

1980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998

1999*

20002001200220032004200520062007200820092010

ICD-9 ICD-10
37 | Page

Table B.1: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated

with Consumer Products, 1980−2010

Year Estimate

U.S. Population 

Estimates 

(thousands)

3-Year Average 

Mortality Rate per 10 

Million Population

1980 282 227,225

1981 311 229,466 13.55

1982 340 231,664 14.02

1983 323 233,792 13.38

1984 275 235,825 12.47

1985 284 237,924 11.19

1986 240 240,133 10.49

1987 232 242,289 9.77

1988 238 244,499 10.44

1989 296 246,819 10.49

1990 243 249,623 10.53

1991 250 252,981 9.27

1992 211 256,514 8.77

1993 214 259,919 8.31

1994 223 263,126 8.08

1995 201 266,278 8.02

1996 217 269,394 7.40

1997 180 272,647 7.05

1998 180 275,854 5.66

1999* 108 279,040 5.09

2000 138 282,172 4.34

2001 121 285,082 5.15

2002 181 287,804 5.27

2003 153 290,326 5.76

2004 168 293,046 5.81

2005 190 295,753 6.06

2006 180 298,593 6.21

2007 186 301,580 6.01

2008 178 304,375 5.51

2009 148 307.007 5.29

2010 161 308,746

Note: The 3-year average mortality rate is reported at the mid-point year.

* The Tenth Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) was 

implemented.

Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission/EPHA. 

U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012 (excluding Armed Forces overseas).

Prior to implementation of ICD-10 in 1999, it was not possible to generate estimates for 

an important category of products: generators and other engine-driven tools.

12 With the advent 

of ICD-10 coding, it is now possible to generate estimates of fatalities associated with generators 

 12 See Appendix B of Mah (2001) for details.
38 | Page

and other engine-driven tools. This category has been observed to have a statistically significant 

upward trend in the estimated number of associated CO poisoning fatalities since 1999 (pages 

13–14). This increasing trend appears to be having an impact on the mortality rate of consumer 

product-related CO poisoning fatalities. Table B.2 shows that the 2009, 3-year average mortality 

rate (1.99) for generators alone was more than three and a half times greater than for the 2000, 3-

year average rate (0.54), and the estimated 3-year average rate has increased each year from 

2000 through 2006, before decreasing each year through 2009. Over the 5-year period 2005

through 2009, there were more CO fatalities associated with engine-driven tools than with 

heating systems. These are the only years since the implementation of ICD-10 that there were 

more EDT-associated CO deaths than heating system-associated CO deaths. In 2010, estimated 

heating systems-related CO deaths barely exceeded EDT-related deaths, 58 to 57, respectively. 

Table B.2: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated

with Generators*, 1999−2010

Year Estimate+ U.S. Population 

(thousands)

3-Year Average 

Mortality Rate per 10 

Million Population

1999 7 279,040

2000 19 282,172 0.54

2001 20 285,082 0.95

2002 42 287,804 1.29

2003 49 290,326 1.52

2004 41 293,046 2.02

2005 88 295,753 2.41

2006 85 298,593 2.69

2007 68 301,580 2.21

2008 76 304,375 2.05

2009 64 307,007 1.99

2010 43 308,746

* Estimates are based on single source product incidents as multiple source incidents could be included 

in multiple categories.

+ Estimates in this table do not include multiple product-related deaths because a generator was not the 

sole product associated with the fatality.

Note 1: The 3-year average mortality rate is reported at the mid-year population estimates.

Note 2: Mortality rate changes from last year’s report are due to changes in CPSC CO death estimates 

and changes in U.S. Census population estimates.
39 | Page

Table B.3 shows the CO poisoning mortality rates associated with all consumer products,

excluding generators. The data indicate that, when generators are excluded, there does not 

appear to be a trend in the mortality rate for consumer products. The 2000, 3-year annual 

average mortality rate was 3.60. The 2009, 3-year average mortality rate was 2.88, a decrease of 

20 percent. In fact, the 3-year averages have dropped slightly each year since the 2003 high 

point. With generators included, the mortality rate increased from 4.34 per 10 million to 5.29 in 

the same time span, an increase of 22 percent.

Table B.3: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with 

Consumer Products, 1999–2010 (Excluding Generator-Related Deaths)*

Year Estimate U.S. Population 

(thousands)

3-Year Average 

Mortality Rate per 10 

Million Population

1999 95 279,040

2000 117 282,172 3.60

2001 93 285,082 3.93

2002 126 287,804 3.65

2003 96 290,326 3.93

2004 120 293,046 3.48

2005 90 295,753 3.35

2006 87 298,593 3.07

2007 98 301,580 3.04

2008 90 304,375 2.97

2009 73 307,007 2.88

2010 102 308,746

* Estimates are based on single source product incidents as multiple source incidents could be included 

in multiple categories.

+ Excludes estimates of deaths associated with a generator only.

Note 1: The 3-year average mortality rate is reported at the mid-year population estimates.

Note 2: Mortality rate changes from last year’s report are due to changes in CPSC CO death estimates 

and changes in U.S. Census population estimates.
40 | Page

Table B.4 shows the 3-year average mortality rates of all engine-driven tools, including 

generators, through 2009. Even though the average mortality rates for 2007 through 2009 have 

dropped slightly since the 2006 high (3.18), it can be seen in the table that the average mortality 

rate has more than tripled from the 2000, 3-year average rate (0.72), to the average rate for 2009

(2.35). 

Table B.4: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with 

Generators and Other Engine-Driven Tools, 1999–2010*

Year Estimate U.S. Population 

(thousands)

3-Year Average 

Mortality Rate per 10 

Million Population

1999 13 279,040

2000 26 282,172 0.72

2001 22 285,082 1.17

2002 52 287,804 1.51

2003 56 290,326 1.88

2004 56 293,046 2.43

2005 102 295,753 2.95

2006 104 298,593 3.18

2007 79 301,580 2.62

2008 83 304,375 2.41

2009 76 307,007 2.35

2010 57 308,746

* Estimates are based on single source product incidents as multiple source incidents could be included 

in multiple categories.

+ Estimates in this table do not include multiple product-related deaths because an EDT was not the sole 

product associated with the fatality. The one exception to this is the 2001 estimate that includes one 

estimated death associated with a generator and another EDT.

Note 1: The 3-year average mortality rate is reported at the mid-year population estimates.

Note 2: Mortality rate changes from last year’s report are due to changes in CPSC CO death estimates 

and changes in U.S. Census population estimates.
41 | Page

Table B.5 shows the CO mortality rates associated with all consumer products, excluding 

generators and other engine-driven tools. The data indicate that the annual average, 3-year 

mortality rate decreased by 27 percent of non-engine-driven tool consumer products (i.e., 

excluding generator and other engine-driven tools), with the 2000 average mortality rate of 3.44 

and 2.52 in 2009. When all consumer products are included, there has been a 22 percent increase 

in the CO mortality rate from the 2000 average rate, increasing from 3-year average mortality 

rate of 4.34 in 2000, to 5.29 in 2008, as shown in Table B.1. Engine-driven tools and generators,

in particular, have had a substantial impact on the CO poisoning mortality rate involving

consumer products.

Table B.5: Estimated Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Deaths Associated with Consumer 

Products, 1999−2010* (Excluding Generator- and Other Engine-Driven Tool-Related Deaths)

Year Estimate U.S. Population 

(thousands)

3-Year Average 

Mortality Rate per 10 

Million Population

1999 89 279,040

2000 110 282,172 3.44

2001 92 285,082 3.72

2002 116 287,804 3.44

2003 89 290,326 3.56

2004 105 293,046 3.07

2005 76 295,753 2.81

2006 68 298,593 2.58

2007 87 301,580 2.63

2008 83 304,375 2.61

2009 61 307,007 2.52

2010 88 308,746

* Estimates are based on single source product incidents as multiple source incidents could be included in 

multiple categories.

+ Excludes estimates of deaths associated with EDTs only. Multiproduct-associated incidents are 

included here because an EDT could not be identified as the only product involved. The one exception to 

this is the 2001 estimate, which excludes one estimated death associated with a generator and another 

EDT.

Note 1: The 3-year average mortality rate is reported at the mid-year population estimates.

Note 2: Mortality rate changes from last year’s report are due to changes in CPSC CO death estimates 

and changes to U.S. Census estimates.
42 | Page

Appendix C: Regional Definitions

1) Northeast comprises New England and Middle Atlantic states. 

a) New England: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. 

b) Middle Atlantic: New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 

2) Midwest comprises East North Central and West North Central states. 

a) East North Central: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. 

b) West North Central: Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. 

3) South comprises South Atlantic, East South Central and West South Central states. 

a) South Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South 

Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 

b) East South Central: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. 

c) West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

4) West comprises Mountain and Pacific states. 

a) Mountain: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. 

b) Pacific: Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Hawaii

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2012 Statistical Abstract 

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/population.html
43 | Page

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