BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 61|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 61
Author: Lowenthal (D), et al
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE
SUBJECT : Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution declares and recognizes 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.
ANALYSIS : 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. 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.
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental
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poisoning deaths in the United States. The Journal of the
American Medical Association has determined that carbon
monoxide claims more than 2,000 lives each year.
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.
The Mayo Clinic has determined that 51 percent of all
carbon monoxide poisoning cases reported involve children
six years of age and under.
In 2001, 25 percent of the carbon monoxide poisoning deaths
from home-related products were adults 65 years of age and
older. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has
determined that older adults more frequently have
preexisting health conditions that affect the hearts,
lungs, and circulatory system, and the presence of one or
more of these conditions lowers a victim's tolerance and
increase the risk of fatal carbon monoxide exposure.
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.
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.
The 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.
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
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factors in the home.
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.
This resolution recognizes and declares the second week of
November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and urges the
State Fire Marshal, local fire departments, pubic 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 EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: Yes
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/16/07)
California Fire Chiefs Association
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : The proponents of this resolution
write, "Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of
accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, but with
increased public awareness, including information relative
to the availability of low-cost alarms, this sad statistic
can be mitigated. Smoke detectors have saved countless
lives nationally and we believe public awareness relating
to the dangers of this 'silent killer' and the importance
of installing carbon monoxide alarms will result in a
significant decline in deaths and injuries resulting from
carbon monoxide poisoning."
TSM:cm 7/17/07 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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