[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9141]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF RESIDENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION ACT

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                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 2009

  Mr. MATHESON.  Madam Speaker, today In introduced the ``Residential 
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act'' in the House of 
Representatives. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental 
poisoning deaths in America. Nearly all carbon monoxide poisonings can 
be prevented by simply placing a carbon monoxide detector in one's 
home. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills 500 people each year in the U.S. 
and hospitalizes an additional 20,000 people, according to the Centers 
for Disease Control. Poisonings occur from several sources, including 
leaky furnaces that aren't properly serviced, water heaters, stoves, 
and portable generators that are used inside or in an area with poor 
ventilation. Carbon monoxide poisonings occur everywhere across the 
U.S., from cold weather states in which furnaces frequently run to 
hurricane-prone areas in which residents lose electricity and use 
portable generators inside.
  This is a commonsense bill that incentivizes states to encourage 
citizens to place carbon monoxide detectors in their homes by 
establishing grant programs for detectors for which states can apply. 
This commonsense legislation is supported by both consumer protection 
groups and national retailers.

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