The Gas Safety Trust has published a new report which explores the latest methods of detecting carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The fuel safety charity says that the most commonly used biomarker associated with the identification of exposure to CO, carboxyhaemoglobin, is now considered less useful than previously thought and is concerned that cases of exposure could be missed. The report argues for the need to identify new biomarkers – indicators that will ultimately assist clinicians in making a diagnosis of CO poisoning and help them in their assessment of patient outcome and referral decisions.
Diagnosing CO poisoning is notoriously difficult, as it produces common, non-specific symptoms such as headaches and nausea, and mimics other more common ailments such as flu and food poisoning. This makes it difficult for those exposed to know that they have been poisoned and what they have been poisoned by.
The report acknowledges that there are gaps in the evidence base and that little is known about the effects of low level chronic exposure to CO. It argues that a combination of approaches is required to develop novel biomarkers and that developing a dedicated funding programme of research work is critical to success. The needs of the clinician, often the first person to be approached by someone suffering from CO poisoning, must also be considered.
Chris Bielby, GST Chair, comments: “The Gas Safety Trust is committed to supporting the improved diagnosis and treatment of CO poisoning. What is emerging from other research we are funding is that incidents are being missed and that people may be being poisoned at lower levels for extended periods of time without knowing it. I am optimistic that improved biomarkers will ensure those people are identified sooner.”
The GST has created an online carbon monoxide portal that is designed to be the central repository for data and information relating to CO in the UK. It contains the latest report as well as other data, documents and general information relating to CO. It can be found at: www.coportal.org
