26/01/2011 - Carbon monoxide 'causes 600 deaths'
Carbon monoxide poisoning has caused almost 600 deaths in the UK in the last 15 years, a charity has revealed.
CO-Gas Safety said there had been 594 "unnecessary tragedies" between September 1 1995 and August 31 2010, with 260 of the victims over the age of 60.
Almost 70% of deaths occurred in the home, figures showed. Some 37% of victims died from burning gas from the mains and 31% were killed after burning solid fuel.
Dubbed the "silent killer", the gas has also been responsible for 3,973 "near misses", during which people came close to death.
In 365 of these cases, the victim lost consciousness, while 2,085 people required hospital treatment, according to the research.
The lethal gas, which has no smell, can be emitted from the burning of any carbon-based fuel, including wood, oil and petrol.
Its devastating effects were felt most keenly in the North West, south Wales and the South East, according to the data.
CO-Gas Safety is now calling for an end to the "unnecessary tragedies" by raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Copyright © Press Association 2011
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