DOH warns on use of generator sets as Albay residents die of gas poisoning

LEGAZPI CITY—The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol has issued an advisory on Saturday on the dangers of using generator sets after multiple reports of deaths from gas poisoning in Albay.

Many areas in the province are still without electricty after Supertyphoon Rolly (Goni) toppled electric posts.

“If used improperly, [generator sets] can lead to build up of carbon monoxide (CO) inside homes, garages, or buildings that could poison people inside,” said Ferchito Avelino, the DOH Bicol assistant regional director.

Doctors in the province said symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, shortness of breathing, altered mental status and behavioral changes, fatigue, malaise or general feeling of sickness, dizziness, clumsiness or difficulty of walking, vision problems, confusion and impaired judgment, nausea and vomiting, rapid and irregular breathing, and chest pain.

Avelino said babies, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions such as anemia, respiratory illness or heart disease are most at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The regional office has also coordinated with the local health officials to remind the public on the proper use of generator sets and how to treat incidents of poisoning.

In Ligao City in Albay, one of nine residents who were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning died on Friday. The victim was identified as Rosario Buenavente, 88.

A day later, in Tiwi town, two residents also died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The victims were identified as Digna Rañeses, a 60-year-old retired police captain, and her niece, 39-year-old Diona Cas.

Two other members of the family Eugene Cas Camanitigue, 55, and her husband Neri, 53, were taken to a nearby hospital at around 12 noon due to dizziness and vomiting.

/MUF