A survey of carbon monoxide in student rented flats in London, UK

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a potentially lethal gas which cannot be detected by the senses. Each year in the UK, at least 50 people die from acute CO poisoning caused by emissions from gas heaters. Many hundreds more suffer symptoms of chronic poisoning, including headaches, sickness and chest pains, which are easily misdiagnosed. CO concentrations were measured in 20 student rented flats with gas heating appliances, in London. In 16 flats, peak concentrations did not exceed 10ppm and 11 of these did not exceed 2ppm during the eight hour monitoring period. Only one flat exceeded WHO guideline concentrations, having a one hour mean concentration of 36ppm and the highest peak concentration of 86ppm. One other flat had one hour and eight hour means approaching WHO guideline concentrations. Further research and monitoring of CO levels in UK homes is recommended to determine the extent of this problem and to evaluate contributions from different sources. Action, including further monitoring, is needed to reduce the levels of CO in homes with elevated CO concentrations and to increase awareness of the dangers and symptoms of CO poisoning.