Today, nine workers at a factory were taken to hospitals suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. The toxic exposure lawyers of The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff has already been retained and consulted by victims of this poisoning. Firefighters evacuated the Ba-Tampte Pickles factory at Brooklyn Terminal Market Building 77 near East 83rd Street and Chase Court, after they detected a high and unsafe concentration of carbon monoxide throughout the building at 8:50 a.m.
Communication Workers of America reports:
Although fire officials are still investigating the cause of the gas exposure, our firm, through its own investigation, believes it was caused by the emissions of an antiquated hi-low machine being used in the enclosed close quarters of the factory. See more here.
Whether you are exposed to carbon monoxide at work or in a building, carbon monoxide poisoning can be extremely hazardous. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas and initially non-irritating. Accordingly, it is very difficult for people to detect which makes it more dangerous than many other forms of toxic gases.
It is produced any time a fossil fuel (i.e. gas) is burned. It is often produced in domestic or industrial settings by motor vehicles that run on gasoline, diesel, propane, methane, or other carbon-based fuels and tools, heaters, and cooking equipment that are powered by carbon-based fuels. If enough is inhaled poisoning occurs. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause illness and death Exposures at 100 ppm or greater can be dangerous to human health.
SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Symptoms of mild acute poisoning will include light-headedness, confusion, headaches, vertigo, and flu-like effects; larger exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart, and even death. Following acute poisoning, long-term effects often occur. Carbon monoxide can also have severe effects on the fetus of a pregnant woman. Chronic exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can lead to depression, confusion, and memory loss.
TREATMENT FOR POISONING
Treatment of poisoning largely consists of oxygen therapy, i.e. administering 100% oxygen or providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by early detection with the use of household carbon monoxide detectors. Modern automobiles, even with electronically-controlled combustion and catalytic converters, can still produce levels of carbon monoxide which will kill if enclosed within a garage or if the tailpipe is obstructed (for example, by snow) and exhaust gas cannot escape normally.
Owners of buildings and contractors can be held legally responsible with carbon monoxide poisoning lawsuits by proving that they caused exposure to workers and/or the general public through their negligence. They can also be held responsible if they knew or had reason to know, that exposure to carbon monoxide was likely to occur
WORKPLACE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Each year, several thousand American workers are killed outright from carbon monoxide exposure, making the poisonous gas one of the most dangerous and widespread industrial hazards. Carbon monoxide causes more deaths than any other toxic agent except alcohol. At least another 10,000 workers suffer from the debilitating effects of high-level exposure. Millions more are subject to low-level, long-term carbon monoxide exposure, the effects of which are not well defined.
The internal combustion engine is the chief source of workplace exposure to carbon monoxide. Many furnaces and ovens also produce large amounts of the gas, especially when they are not properly maintained. Truck drivers, forklift operators, or anyone working near such equipment are potentially exposed.
Particularly in danger are persons working near or within enclosed areas such as manholes, splicing vehicles, garages, tunnels, loading docks, warehouses, and vehicle repair shops. This is the type of exposure that took place at Ba-Tampte Pickles factory at Brooklyn Terminal Market Building 77.
Workers may be exposed to the toxic gas off the job as well. Because carbon monoxide comes from automobile exhaust, heaters, or recreational campers, nearly everyone is exposed at some time or another.
O.S.H.A. STANDARD
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits exposure to 50 parts of carbon monoxide per million parts (PPM) of air averaged over eight hours. Exposure to concentrations over 100 parts per million constitutes a serious violation, and any exposure greater than 500 parts per million is considered imminent danger.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which conducts scientific research with and for OSHA, has recommended that the standard be changed to 35 parts per million and that any exposure beyond 200 parts per million be strictly forbidden.
Experienced Brooklyn Workplace Accident Lawyers
We are attorneys who specialize in toxic exposure cases including carbon monoxide poisoning, asbestos and other hidden dangers. We practice in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island and the surrounding counties. If you have any questions about an accident that happened to you or a loved one, please feel free to contact the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC.
Our website is www.msllegal.com and you may contact us here via e-mail or call one of our lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC at 212-962-1020 (toll-free at 877-MSL-4LAW or 877-675-4529) to schedule a free initial consultation. Our attorneys are here to help you.
