UNINTENTIONAL CARBON-MONOXIDE DEATHS IN CALIFORNIA FROM CHARCOAL GRILLS AND HIBACHIS

This study was carried out to determine the annual incidence rate of a nd factors associated with unintentional deaths due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from charcoal grills/hibachis in California during 197 9-1988. A search through the California Master Mortality File was cond ucted to identify all cases with ICD-9 codes related to unintentional CO deaths. Individual coroners investigation reports were obtained fro m 42 counties and evaluated by three evaluators. After- excluding misc oded and misclassified cases, 444 deaths were judged to be authentic c ases of unintentional CO poisoning. Among them, 59 deaths found to be due to the improper use of charcoal grills/hibachis. An increasing but not statistically significant trend was observed over the 10-year per iod. The highest rates occurred among males, asians, blacks, and middl e-aged (20-39) people. Fifty-four percent of the deaths occurred in mo tor vehicles and 46% in residential structures.