CAUSES OF UNINTENTIONAL DEATHS FROM CARBON-MONOXIDE POISONINGS IN CALIFORNIA

The purpose of this study was to determine the annual number and incid ence of unintentional deaths from carbon monoxide (GO) poisonings in C alifornia and to identify specific factors that caused or contributed to the deaths. Unintentional CO deaths in California over a ten-year p eriod (1979 to 1988) were identified from the database of the Californ ia Master Mortality File and coroners' investigation reports. Factors associated with unintentional CO deaths were determined based on the i nformation from the investigation reports. The annual number of uninte ntional CO deaths varied from 27 to 58 over the ten years examined, wi th an average annual death incidence of 1.7 x 10(-6). Death rates were high among males and African-Americans. Alcohol appeared to be a fact or in 31% of the cases. The types of combustion sources associated wit h unintentional CO deaths were: heating or cooking appliances; motor v ehicles; charcoal grills and hibachis; small engines; and camping equi pment. Factors associated with unintentional CO deaths interact in a c omplex way. To reduce the rate of unintentional CO deaths effectively, joint efforts involving several prevention methods are suggested.