[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 296 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 296

  Designating the week of November 5 through 12, 2017, as ``National 
              Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 19, 2017

  Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Hoeven) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the week of November 5 through 12, 2017, as ``National 
              Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Week''.

Whereas carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced whenever 
        any fuel, such as natural gas, propane, gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood, 
        or charcoal, is burned;
Whereas devices that produce carbon monoxide include cars, boats, portable power 
        generators, gasoline engines, stoves, and heating systems, and carbon 
        monoxide produced from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-
        enclosed spaces;
Whereas carbon monoxide is often referred to as the ``silent killer'' because it 
        is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, and ignoring 
        early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning may cause unconsciousness and 
        continual exposure to danger;
Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 
        in the United States, carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 150 
        individuals and sends approximately 20,000 individuals to emergency 
        rooms;
Whereas when people breathe in carbon monoxide, the poisonous gas enters the 
        bloodstream and prevents adequate intake of oxygen, which can damage 
        tissues and result in death;
Whereas, given their common preexisting medical conditions, individuals older 
        than age 65 are particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning;
Whereas for most individuals who suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, the 
        early signs of exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide include 
        mild headaches and breathlessness upon moderate exercise;
Whereas sustained or increased exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to flu-like 
        symptoms, including severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, 
        confusion, irritability, and impaired judgment, memory, and 
        coordination;
Whereas breathing in low concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause long-term 
        health damage, even after exposure to the gas ends;
Whereas most cases of carbon monoxide exposure occur during the colder months of 
        December, January, and February, when oil and gas heaters are more 
        heavily in use;
Whereas on January 5, 1996, the Burt family of Kimball, Minnesota, was poisoned 
        by carbon monoxide from a malfunctioning furnace in the home of the Burt 
        family, resulting in--

    (1) the deaths of 15-month-old Zachary Todd Burt and 4-year-old 
Nicholas Todd Burt; and

    (2) the hospitalization of Ryan Todd Burt;

Whereas Cheryl Burt, the mother of Zachary, Nicholas, and Ryan Burt, has worked 
        to educate the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, 
        including by testifying in December 2009 before the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
Whereas according to the North Dakota Department of Health, among residents over 
        the age of 65, carbon monoxide poisoning was the leading substance-
        related cause of death in North Dakota from 2009 to 2014;
Whereas the North Dakota Department of Health found that, in 2010, carbon 
        monoxide poisoning was the second-leading cause of unintentional 
        poisoning death among adults ages 30 through 49;
Whereas on June 7, 2015, 3 adults and 1 child in Blanchard, North Dakota, 
        tragically passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning as the result of a 
        carbon monoxide leak caused by an improperly vented water heater; and
Whereas increasing awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide can help 
        prevent poisoning and save lives: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate designates the week of November 5 through 
12, 2017, as ``National Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness Week''.
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