Section 13261 Of Chapter 8. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act Of 2010 From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 12. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 8.
13261
. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) According to the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide
is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United
States. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
estimate that carbon monoxide kills approximately 500 people each
year and injures another 20,000 people nationwide.
(b) According to the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, a person cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. At high levels
carbon monoxide can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is
produced whenever any fuel, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or
charcoal, is burned.
(c) The State Air Resources Board estimates that every year carbon
monoxide accounts for between 30 and 40 avoidable deaths, possibly
thousands of avoidable illnesses, and between 175 and 700 avoidable
emergency room and hospital visits.
(d) There are well-documented chronic health effects of acute
carbon monoxide poisoning or prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide,
including, but not limited to, lethargy, headaches, concentration
problems, amnesia, psychosis, Parkinson's disease, memory impairment,
and personality alterations.
(e) Experts estimate that equipping every home with a carbon
monoxide device would cut accident-related costs by 93 percent.
Eighteen states and a number of large cities have laws mandating the
use of carbon monoxide devices.
(f) Carbon monoxide devices provide a vital, highly effective, and
low-cost protection against carbon monoxide poisoning and these
devices should be made available to every home in California.
(g) The Homeowners' Guide to Environmental Hazards prepared
pursuant to Section 10084 of the Business and Professions Code is an
important educational tool and should include information regarding
carbon monoxide. It is the intent of the Legislature that when the
booklet is next updated as existing resources permit, or as private
resources are made available, it be updated to include a section on
carbon monoxide.