The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-05
THE CARBON MONOXIDE SEASON
rS IN

from Los Angeles, OF al places,
comes this complaint:
We are living in an apartment
using gas range. There Is no
pipe on the oven, In fact no way
for fumes to escape except
through q window on the opposite
(south) side Of the room. When
the four burners and oven are
going full blast and the wind is
from the south the fumes are
simply awful. I have a weak
heart and have been nearly over
come several times. Isn't there
q law compelling the owner Of an
apartment or flat or house to pro-
vide for elimination Of gas
fumes?
i the gas burns freely and there is
no carbon or SCOT accumulation to
glow red hot, and no red hot iron or
other metal there Is not much danger
at carbon monoxide poisoning in such
q kitchen. The carbon nonoxide gas
which Is component OF illuminating
cr natural gas, will not escape II the
gas pipe and fittings and burners are
all in good condition. None is pro-
duced when gas burns freely. Only
carbon dioxide Is formed In such
fumes" and carbon dioxide is not
q poison. though conceivably the
kitchen air may become SO poor IN
oxygen, as the proportion Of oxygen
used up by the fire and the proportion
of carbon dioxide given off by the fire
land by the breathing Of persons or
animals in the kitchen) gradually In
creases, that one senses the insult
ficiency and instinctively seeks fresh
air.
In any kind of gas, oil, gasoline or
kerosene stove or heater where SCOT
accumulates on or close to the burner
and perhaps becomes red hot for q
while, carbon monoxide Is given Oft
and in a small closed room this may
have serious or fatal effects without
giving the victim any warning. A
portable gas heater with q faulty
burner or mixing adjustment which
does not admit enough air with the
gas, Is always q dangerous thing. es-
pecially In a bathroom or . bedroom
where any one may fall asleep with
the gas burning.
Probably there is no law or ordi-
nance such as the correspondent asks
about. We can't permit any such
ordinances. Might interfere with man
ufacture and sale Of pipeless gas
heaters. Dumb public insists on play
ing with these deadly contrivances. A
few score Of fatalities each winter
but business as usual.
For the sake Of the comfort Of the
cook, the cleanliness Of the house
and freedom from unpleasant odors
every kitchen where gas range y
used should be provided with . suit
able cowl ventilating shaft above thu
range, through which fumes, heal
and odors may escape up the chimney
|or out Of the house. II necessary ar
exhaust fan should be installed *
draw off the fumes and odors. Where
such simple provisions are not avail
able, then at least some means O
cross ventilation should be provided u
the kitchen. Thus . window opened
from the bottom on one side Of thu
room and another opened from thu
top on the other side Of the room
or door and q window both openet
to allow air to pass through.
Insurance people have reduced tn
odds they will pay for accidents
death, because there have been q
many instances Of carbon monoxid'
gassing Of gentlemen by their cars y
circumstances which make It hart
for . coroner to decide whether tn
deceased was Just : d. fool or : 9
scoundrel.
II mild casing with 90. when tn
victim Is not frozen" or overcom'
before he can escape Or call for atd
the warning signals are headache
dizziness, throbbing IN temples, noise
IN carr. oppression n chest, perhap
nausea or vomiting. The face 3 RED
The victim u unable to walk Or stand