Every year, a thousand households are accidentally poisoned by carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas that can sometimes be fatal. The Institute for Health Surveillance (InVS) and the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) have focused more specifically on the causes of poisoning and the socioeconomic characteristics of the households that are victims of it. The results of this survey are shown in InVS weekly epidemiological bulletin of January 19, 2016. This study makes it possible to identify the specific populations most at risk in order to target preventive actions.
A link between precariousness and lifestyle
The two institutes offered questionnaires to the 886 poisoned households between September 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. 507 of them responded and made it possible to assess the socio-economic conditions of the people affected by these accidents. “Poisoning by brazier/barbecue mainly concerned tenants (50%) occupying degraded housing (63%), in a financial situation qualified as fair or difficult (51%) and speaking an African language at home (69%); 33% were unemployed“explains the InVS in its bulletin. These data”reinforce the hypotheses formulated in Île-de-France on the link between precariousness or lifestyle (such as cooking indoors using appliances not designed for this use) and poisoning by brazier/barbecue“reports the InVS.
As for households intoxicated by generators, they are home buyers at 53%, “with a satisfactory financial situation (69%), rarely speaking an African language (6%) and 9% were unemployed” describes the InVS. Main cause of this type of intoxication: “a budget heavily burdened by the cost of housing” offers InVS, DIY and non-professional manual installation work often requiring the installation of a generator.
Reinforce boiler risk prevention campaigns
Boiler poisonings did not reveal any particular socio-economic trend, but did show that more than one in four households with a non-electric boiler had not called on a professional during their lifetime. last year for the maintenance of the device. This is why, according to the InVS, it is necessary to strengthen prevention campaigns for carbon monoxide poisoning since the level of information is associated with the frequency ofregulatory maintenance of their boiler.
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