THE Government is today condemned for failing to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning – a silent killer responsible for claiming hundreds of innocent lives. A scathing report by a cross-party group of MPs criticises ministers and gas retailers for ignoring the perils of carbon monoxide, and doing too little to stop the deaths – many of them children and the elderly – which they say are "100 per cent preventable".

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group, said the group had uncovered a "scandalous lack of engagement" from energy retailers on tackling the issue of carbon monoxide awareness.

And he called for the companies to "put their hands in their pockets" to fund a national media campaign aimed at educating everyone about the dangers.

The group is also calling for every home in the UK to be fitted with a carbon monoxide detector and wants the Government to put pressure on mortgage and insurance companies to make it a legal requirement for houses to have them before they agree to lend money or cover.

Incredibly, say MPs, it is not possible to say exactly how many have died as a result of carbon monoxide because the Government does not systematically record all data on poisoning incidents.

Many who are admitted to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning are misdiagnosed because there is a lack of awareness and understanding on the part of doctors. And they say those lucky enough to survive are often sent home – where the toxic gas is still lurking.

A report published by University College London (UCL) last year found that almost a fifth of private homes had carbon monoxide levels higher than those deemed healthy by the World Health Organisation.

Yet there has never been a prime-time television advertising campaign to alert people to the dangers – or to tell them they could safeguard their homes with a detector costing little more than £20.

As well as a national awareness campaign, MPs want Ministers to impose tougher penalties, including substantial fines, for incompetent or illegal gas installation work.

There have been 247 known deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty gas appliances in the UK in the last 10 years and 68 deaths from gas explosions.

Last night, Mr Sheerman said: "We have uncovered a scandalous lack of engagement from energy retailers on tackling the issue of carbon monoxide awareness.

"We want them to put their hands in their pockets and fund a national media campaign to make sure everyone is aware of the dangers of this silent killer. People are suffering and dying as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, yet this is entirely preventable."

Scientists at UCL say that while the symptoms of acute carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, weakness, nausea and chest pains – can be identified, there is evidence to suggest that low level exposure could go undetected for years yet still have deadly consequences.

There is particularly stinging criticism of the fact that the Government has removed the mandatory requirement for sellers to provide appliance safety certificates for home-buyers.

The report also says that there is a "totally unacceptable" lack of enforcement action against incompetent and illegal installations of household appliances.

Corgi chief executive Mike Thompson said: "By using an illegal worker, people are putting their lives and the lives of their family in danger because they cannot be sure they have the qualifications and experience to fit gas appliances safely.

"Despite working with the gas industry, Government and media to highlight the dangers of cowboy gas fitters, there are many people still flouting the law."

Chris Bielby, head of safety at British Gas, said: "The report makes some important points on an important issue and we're delighted to see support for our calls for tighter controls on gas safety around house sales."

control for popup window Other Sites in the JP Network. [Archive ] [Sitemap ] [Terms & Conditions ] All rights reserved 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

This is cache, read story here