Authorities believe carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of three people found in a western Pennsylvania home this week, but investigators have yet to determine what led to the deadly exposure.
Why It Matters
According to the Cleveland Clinic, carbon monoxide poisoning kills over 400 people per year in the United States.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning also sends an additional 100,000 people to emergency rooms annually," the Cleveland Clinic states.
What To Know
The Butler County Coroner's Office confirmed that two men and a woman were discovered dead around 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday at a residence in Butler, located roughly 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. Two additional individuals were hospitalized with unspecified injuries as of Wednesday. Authorities have not released the identities of the five individuals involved or provided further details about them.
Investigators are still working to determine the source of the carbon monoxide, and it remains unclear whether the home was equipped with functional carbon monoxide detectors, according to officials.
The region has been gripped by freezing weather this week with temperatures plunging into the mid-teens Monday night and barely climbing above the high 20s by Tuesday afternoon.
What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is produced when gasoline as well as other fuels burn. These fuels include wood, kerosene, natural gas and coal. It's extremely dangerous in high levels.
"Many household items including gas- and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poison gas," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states.
Poisoning occurs when you breathe in carbon monoxide fumes.
"The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as 'flu-like.' If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms," the CDC says.
One of the most common forms of carbon monoxide exposure occurs through unvented space heaters. This is due to the fact that unvented space heaters use combustible fuel as well as indoor air for heating and doesn't vent the gases it makes outdoors but rather indoors.
What People Are Saying
The CDC states: Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO."
"Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized," the agency says.
What's Next
Officials in Butler County, Pennsylvania, are likely to release further information related to the investigation in the coming days.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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