The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – In collaboration with the Christmas Mother Program, the Virginia Department of Health offered a community presentation regarding recent concerns of carbon monoxide poisoning. A two-member panel, which included Dr. Michele Ballou, retired pulmonary physician and Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Director of Alleghany Health District, answered questions from moderator Michele Wright regarding resident concerns.
The panel presented a short informational video regarding carbon monoxide, explained facts regarding carbon monoxide exposure, and published an update on local efforts to address the situation, which began on Jan. 31, at Covington Middle School. In the update, the Alleghany Health District of VDH reported approximately 60 cases of elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels in the Covington/Alleghany areas since the January incident. Due to numerous reports of elevated levels, the Department of Health is working with local healthcare providers, Blue Ridge Poison Control, the state toxicologist, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and other collaborators to continue the investigation.
According to the panel members, the most common sources of carbon monoxide are breathing smoke from fires or tobacco products, poorly functioning heating systems, fuel-burning appliances, and engine exhaust. While investigations are ongoing, the Department of Health recommends all area residents survey personal living spaces for carbon monoxide exposure and install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
Free carbon monoxide detectors were offered to those in attendance by the Christmas Mother Organization, which secured funding from the Alleghany Foundation to purchase the detectors from two local businesses, SJ Newthawk in Covington and Northwest Ace Hardware in Clifton Forge. Christmas Mothers who helped with the distribution and organization of the event include Sue Rollinson, Michele Wright, Becky Perkins, Ingrid Barber, Lynda Thompson, Mary Asma, Dianne Gracia, Brenda Linkenhoker and Marie Fitzpatrick.
