12 Oct 2011
In the past 12 months, the UK has seen a three-fold increase in its carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning death rate, new figures indicate.
Gas Safety Trust research shows that 50 cases of CO poisoning were witnessed in the year to June 30, 2011.
While 80 of the 105 people involved in these incidents experienced injuries without fatal consequences, 25 people died.
According to the organisation, this is three times higher than the death rate seen in the previous year, when seven fatalities were recorded.
A number of particularly serious incidents added to the CO fatality figure for 2011, the latest Carbon Monoxide Hotspot Report also revealed.
When factoring in the population of each UK region, Devon and Somerset were the main areas where CO-related incidents took place, the trust’s research found.
Meanwhile, Staffordshire, Northern Ireland, Cheshire and Essex followed closely behind.
Copyright Press Association 2011