Authorizing the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings on the need for the mandatory installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in all dwellings in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, yet toxic gas which can accumulate when fuels are burned in areas which are not properly ventilated; and

WHEREAS, Between 200 and 300 people die annually in the United States as a result of non-fire related Carbon Monoxide poisoning resulting from appliances and other combustion sources; and

WHEREAS, The risk for Carbon Monoxide poisoning is greater during the cold weather months, Carbon Monoxide poisoning has been the cause of multiple deaths already this winter

WHEREAS, More than 5,000 people seek medical treatment each year as the result of Carbon Monoxide poisoning with symptoms including headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, abdominal cramps and personality change; and

WHEREAS, Carbon Monoxide poisoning was the largest cause of preventable poisoning deaths in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Installing an approved Carbon Monoxide detector capable of low-level detection will sound an alarm before Carbon Monoxide levels reach a point that would cause a healthy adult to experience symptoms, thereby giving one time to evacuate; and

WHEREAS, Installation of these alarms in all dwellings could significantly reduce the incidence of death and illness resulting from Carbon Monoxide poisoning; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, THAT the Committee on Public Health and Human Services is hereby authorized to hold public hearings on the need for mandatory installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in all dwellings in the City of Philadelphia.

End