Incidence and Causes of Carbon Monoxide Intoxication: Results of an Epidemiologic Survey in a French Department

The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence, mortality, and causes of carbon monoxide intoxications in France. A survey was conducted in the department of the Hauts-de-Seine, which is representative of the French population. Data were collected through a headquarters that had direct contact with all department emergency organizations and to a technical laboratory. During the 3-y study, 735 cases that were related to 291 events were reported. Thirty-six patients died. The average incidence of carbon monoxide intoxications was 17.5 per 100,000 inhabitants. Poisoning was caused by fires in 36 events and by car exhausts in 12. For the remaining events, causes were determined as follows for 196: water heaters (57%), boiler (20.5%), coal stove (9%), brazier (4%), cooker (2%), heating device (1.5%), and miscellaneous (6%). The main mechanisms of intoxication were a defective device, poor ventilation, or poor evacuation of combustion gases. Carbon monoxide intoxication occurs frequently in France, and preventive actions are warranted.