Mortality associated with exposure to carbon monoxide in WHO European Member States

BACKGROUND: In closed environments, the concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) can easily rise to health-threatening levels. CO-related incidents are often caused by poor condition or inappropriate use of indoor combustion devices as well as structure fires but are also due to suicides. OBJECTIVES/METHODS: To evaluate the incidence of CO poisoning in Europe, national data on CO-related mortality and morbidity were compiled from Member States of the WHO European Region using a standardized data collection form. RESULTS: National data on CO poisoning were provided by 28 Member States. Within the maximum reporting period (1980-2008), a total of 140 490 CO-related deaths were reported (annual death rate of 2.2/100 000). The number of hospital admissions available from six countries was 31 473. Unintentional CO deaths accounted for 54.7% of the CO-related deaths (35.9%: unintentional inhalation; 18.8%: related to structure fires). The intentional deaths related to CO exposure account for 38.6% of all CO-related deaths (38.1%: suicides; 0.5%: homicides). CONCLUSIONS: CO exposure is preventable but causes a substantial amount of deaths in many European countries. More efficient measures and policies to prevent CO poisoning and better reporting of CO mortality are necessary. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Language: en