Carbon monoxide poisoning in a sinking flight: Numbers in NRW fallen dramatically!

Carbon monoxide poisoning in a sinking flight: Numbers in NRW fallen dramatically!

The number of people treated in North Rhine-Westphalia (North Rhine-Westphalia) for carbon monoxide poisoning in the hospital has experienced a drastic decline in the past ten years. In 2023, only 474 inpatient treatment cases were registered, while there were still 958 cases in 2013. This corresponds to a decline of 50.5 percent, such as Lokalklick.eu

On average, the treated people were almost 44 years old in 2023. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a color and odorless gas, which is often released from defective ovens, heating, chimney systems, apartment fires or when grilling indoors. Especially in households in which the safety precautions are neglected, the dangers are enormous.

regional differences

The health effects of carbon monoxide varies regionally. The highest number of treatment cases was recorded in the Märkische Kreis, with 8.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The district of Viersen (5.6 cases) and the district of Düren (5.5 cases) follow. In comparison, the nationwide values ​​were 2.6 treatment cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It is particularly striking that from Oberhausen, Hamm and the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein in 2023 no fully inpatient treatments based on carbon monoxide poisoning were reported, such as dzonline.de determined.

The causes of the poisoning are serious. Carbon monoxide binds hemoglobin in the blood with high affinity and affects oxygen transport in the body. This has serious consequences for the organs that have a high oxygen requirement, such as the heart and the brain. Acute symptoms of co-poisoning can range from headaches to impact weakness to impairment of consciousness and, in extreme cases, suffocation. Children, pregnant women, older people and heart patients are particularly at risk. that late damage such as kidney failure and neuropsychiatric disorders are also possible.

deaths and suicide

The number of deaths in NRW due to carbon monoxide poisoning has also decreased. 73 people died in 2023, which corresponds to a decline of 45.9 percent compared to 135 cases in 2013. It is fascinating that 78.1 percent of deaths are due to suicides due to carbon monoxide poisoning. This shows that the problem is not only anchored in medical treatments, but also in sociopolitical framework conditions.

The data and statistics on these developments are collected and published by IT.NRW on a legal basis. Their surveys provide impressive insights into the health challenges caused by the invisible and odorless gas.