Carbon Monoxide Poisoning due to burning coal in heaters

Written by: Mir Aqa Etibar

Most Afghans use coal or charcoal for warming their houses in the winter, but sometimes the fuels cause poisoning. Some of them might recover after sometimes but for some, it might cause their death.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people about the solution to this issue.

Akmal, a resident of Nangarhar province says, “Last winter, our relatives used coals in the fireplace inside their living room. They were 16 persons and all were poisoned. 14 of them recovered after treatment, and two members of that family passed away.”

Mashoqullah, a resident of Logar province says, “We use charcoal for the heating of house in the winter. One cold day, I put charcoal under a table (Sandali) and I put a quilt around the table and I wrapped a part of the quilt around my head and I went to sleep. When I woke up, my mother told me that I had lost my sense and I could not move or talk and foam was coming from my mouth.”

What do some people think about the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Akmal says, “The coal produces carbon monoxide gas when it burns. When our relatives had gone to sleep, carbon monoxide gas was spread in the room and it had caused poisoning.”

Mashoqullah says, “When I came from outside and sat under Sandali and wrapped my head in the quilt and thus I closed the ways of oxygen so that the carbon monoxide poisoned me.”

How do some people prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Haseebullah, a resident of Logar province says, “We use coal in the heater. Before burning the coal, we check the pipes of the heater, if they are not clean, we clean them properly and we use aluminum sheets around heater pipes to prevent leakage.”