BILL NUMBER: SCR 61	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Lowenthal
   (Principal coauthor: Senator Migden)
   (Coauthors: Senators Corbett and Kuehl)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Dymally, Laird, Lieu, Maze, Mullin,
and Portantino)

                        JULY 9, 2007

   Relative to Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 61, as introduced, Lowenthal. Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.
   This measure would declare and recognize the 2nd week of November
as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and urges the State Fire Marshal,
local fire departments, public schools, and all other interested
persons or organizations to initiate awareness activities during that
week to alert the general public to the dangers of carbon monoxide
poisoning and ways to reduce the risk factors in their homes.
   Fiscal committee: yes.



   WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide is produced by furnaces, common household
appliances, vehicles, generators, fireplaces, and other systems that
are powered by the burning of fuel that includes, but is not limited
to, natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, and wood; and
   WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless
poison gas that can be fatal when inhaled, and it is known as "the
silent killer" because it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted; and
   WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental
poisoning deaths in the United States; and
   WHEREAS, The Journal of the American Medical Association has
determined that carbon monoxide claims more than 2,000 lives each
year; and
   WHEREAS, The American Association of Poison Control Centers has
determined that there are 40,000 emergency room visits from suspected
carbon monoxide poisoning, and 20,000 health related injuries each
year; and
   WHEREAS, The Mayo Clinic has determined that 51 percent of all
carbon monoxide poisoning cases reported involve children six years
of age and under; and
   WHEREAS, The Consumer Product Safety Commission has determined
that older adults more frequently have preexisting health conditions
that affect the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, and the
presence of one or more of these conditions lowers a victim's
tolerance and increases the risk of a fatal carbon monoxide exposure;
and
   WHEREAS, In 2001, 25 percent of the carbon monoxide poisoning
deaths from home-related products were adults 65 years of age and
older; and
   WHEREAS, A January 2006 article in the Journal of the American
Medical Association showed that, for individuals who had been
involved in carbon monoxide poisoning and survived, there was a
three-fold increase in coronary artery disease seven years later when
compared to patients who were not poisoned; and
   WHEREAS, The Carbon Monoxide Health and Safety Association has
determined that the combined medical cost of carbon monoxide
accidents, lost productivity, and lost wages amounts to $8.8 billion
per year; and
   WHEREAS, The State Air Resources Board has determined that, on
average, between 30 and 40 avoidable deaths occur in California each
year due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as
between 175 and 700 avoidable emergency room visits and
hospitalizations, and between hundreds and thousands of avoidable
illnesses; and
   WHEREAS, Public education and awareness about carbon monoxide
poisoning are critical to protecting residents of California from the
dangers of this deadly gas and the risk factors in the home; and
   WHEREAS, Carbon monoxide alarms have been determined to be the
most effective way to detect carbon monoxide and there is a dramatic
correlation between carbon monoxide alarm ordinances in cities and
lower death rates from carbon monoxide; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes and
declares the second week of November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Week and urges the State Fire Marshal, local fire departments, public
schools, and all other interested persons or organizations to
initiate awareness activities during that week to alert the general
public to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and ways to reduce
the risk factors in their homes; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the State Fire Marshal and to the author for
appropriate distribution.