Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-14
DR.. Wiley Favors Ten Per Cent
Maximum of Carbon M0noxIde

Death by asphyxiation from 1lfnmna-
ton gas in nearly every instance is que
tn carbon moxonide the active poisonous
principle, asserts DR.. II. W. whey OF the
Department of Agriculture
Ten per cent carbon monoxide IN IL
Eliminating gas is the maximum amount
that will insure comparative safety In It's
use. he further declares.
These statements are made in letter
which Dr. Wiley has sent to Commissioner
mcfarland, setting carbon monoxide
standard for coal gas furnished to Wash
ington residents. DR.. Wiley has suggest
ed that the amount Of carbon monoxide
in illuminating gas should be Limited 10 ~
per cent the standard fixed in the draft
of the bill prepared by Corporation Coun-
sci Thomas which was submitted by MN
to the Commiss toners yesterday
Elimina ties Water Gas.
This standard. Gays the chemist of the
Agricultural Depa rtment, Will prevent the
gas company from, using ANY consider
able amount of dea dly water gas
DR. Wiley's recon lamentations VIII De
sent to the House c, 1mmittee on the Dis
trict of Columbia 10 aid 1t In con-
sidering the recomme udation of the Com
missioners for legisla tiOn prohibiting or
reducing the amount 'f carbon monoXioe
After this recommen dalton for leglsla-
ton was sent to the district committees
of Congress Chairman Smlth or the
House District commit ee suggested that
some expert opinions be furnished the
commtte to guide it in considering
legislation. Following that suggestion,
commissioner Macfarhand held confer
ence with DR.. Harvey w. Wlleys Dr. John
the Department of Agriculture, who
made the investigation OF carbon mon
oxide in gas distributed throughout the
District.
DR.. Wiley's Conclusions.
Al the conclusion OF the conference
Commissioner Mcfarland asked Dr. WI
ley to send his conclusions to the COM
missionerS In writing. Ine letter from
Dr. Wiley was received by commissioner
Macfarland this morning. his recoH-
mendation is as follows:
'.In compliance with your request, as
made at our meeting yesterday afternoon,
that we suggest a carbon monoxioe s'ahu-
ard for Washington coal gas, we are au-
wishing you as to what standard we thlhk
should be adopted and the reasons there
for
I'VE are of the opinion that the amount
of carbon monoXide should be lnnlIeo 10
10 per cent. Ordinary gas contains as
an average about 8 to per cent carbon
monoxide. This amount may rise 10 near
~ 10 per cent If certain Goals ana meth
DDS of distillation are used. Hence we
believe that a 10 per cent limit would Al
low the gas company to use practically
any coal and distillation process 1t de-
sired, and yet prevent it from using any
considerable amount Of deadly water gas,
which contains from 80 to 40 per cent
carbon monoXide.
1T is needless to point out the desira-
biity of limiting the amount of carbon
monoxide in illuminating gas
lit is well known to the general public
init orio
monoxide is the active poisonous pr1nci-
pie which is responsible for practically all
deaths from gas used for Illuminating
purposes"
Daily Examinations Proposed.
CORPORATION Counsel Thomas has recon-
mended to the Commissioners that an ex-
animation of the gas distributed through
out the city be made every day to deter
mine the amount of carbon monoxide 1t
contains.
This was suggested by the Districts le-
gal adviser as the first step in his inves-
LEGATION to determine whether carbon
Imonoxide is present in the gas IN sufii-
cient quantity to make the gas company
guilty of maintaining nuisance. In
letter to the Commissioners the Tako-
ma Park Citizens Association pointed out
that the charter of the local gas company
prohibited 1t from maintaining nui-
sance and suggested that the presence OF
large amount of carbon monoxide in the
gas might be violation of that prov1-
sion of the charter.
In deciding the question, the corporation
counsel found that he must have some
definite facts and data upon which to rely
and upon which he could take definite &C
ton, IL that were found necessary. That
led to the suggestion that E. G. Runyon.
inspector Of gas meters, make daily ex-
animation Of the gas.
1ae rDonrrr nrccTYesrn