Citation

Ralston JD, Hampson NB. Public Health Rep. (1974) 2000; 115(1): 46-51.

Affiliation

Department of Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Association of Schools of Public Health)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10968585

PMCID

PMC1308556

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the incidence of severe, acute, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning differs across racial/ethnic categories. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of all Washington State residents treated with hyperbaric oxygen for severe, acute, unintentional CO poisoning from December 1, 1987, through February 28, 1997. RESULTS: Among 586 Washington State residents treated with hyperbaric oxygen for severe, acute, unintentional CO poisoning, racial/ethnic designations could be determined from record review for 530 (90%). The black and Hispanic white populations of Washington State had higher relative risks for severe, acute, unintentional CO poisoning than the non-Hispanic white population. The most common sources of CO poisoning differed by racial/ethnic category. CONCLUSIONS: Members of certain groups in Washington State are at higher risk for severe, unintentional CO poisoning. Public education programs regarding CO exposure should be targeted to populations at risk.

Language: en