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LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 5-- With an increasing number of houseboats on area lakes, boaters should be aware of a possible hazard associated with some houseboats. The design of some houseboats could cause carbon monoxide to get trapped in an air cavity underneath the swim platform and transom. To date, no deaths have been attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning on Little Rock District lakes.

Carbon monoxide is a lethal poison that is produced when fuels, such as gasoline, are burned. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 2,500 people in the U.S. will die this year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and more than 10,000 will be hospitalized, making it the most common cause of death from poisoning in the United States.

Carbon monoxide can rapidly accumulate, even in areas that appear to be well ventilated such as outdoors on a boat. For boaters, exposure to deadly airborne pollutants is the furthest thing from their minds.

Because carbon monoxide is colorless, tasteless, odorless and non-irritating, it can overcome the exposed person without warning. It produces weakness and confusion, depriving the person of the ability to seek safety.  

Last August two brothers, one eight-year-old and one 11-year-old, were swimming at the rear of a houseboat on Lake Powell in Arizona. Both were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and disappeared beneath the water in front of their friends and family.

This incident caused authorities to examine the number of carbon monoxide-related incidents on Lake Powell. They found that nine people had died during the last six years from carbon monoxide, and there have been more than 100 serious boat-related poisonings reported since 1991 on that lake alone. These deaths were initially reported as drownings.

Carbon monoxide is not tested for by medical examiners unless specifically requested. Because of this, and because the symptoms mirror those of heat stress, flu, or even a hangover, experts believe that many carbon monoxide-related poisonings have been inaccurately reported as drownings.

The Arkansas Department of Health urges to follow these steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not sit near or under the back deck of a houseboat. Don’t swim near exhaust ports. Watch for symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning while boating.

Owners of houseboats with rear-mounted exhaust port, especially with those that vent under a swimming platform, should modify it to direct exhaust fumes where they will not produce a hazardous condition. Information on modifying exhaust ports should be requested from the boat manufacturer. Also, any enclosed compartment on a boat should have a carbon monoxide detector.

If you have any questions about this potential danger, please contact your local health department for further information.