HC Deb 19 January 1996 vol 269 cc810-3W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning annually resulting in death and injury involve(a) persons over the age of 60 years and (b) students and persons under the age of 25 years. [9718]

Mr. John M. Taylor

I have been asked to reply.

The estimated annual average UK totals over the latest five years for non-fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings from all causes, but excluding work-related accidents, are as follows:

Age Total
Under 25 years 272
Over 60 years 29

The annual average numbers over the latest five years of accidental carbon monoxide fatalities from all causes in England and Wales, again excluding work related-accidents, are as follows:

Age Total
Under 25 years 28
Over 60 years 44

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in deaths and injury annually are caused by(a) live fuel effect gas fires, (b) gas water heaters, (c) gas central heating, (d) other gas appliances, (e) live fuel effect liquid petroleum gas fires, (f) liquid petroleum gas water heaters, (g) liquid petroleum gas central heating, (h) other liquid gas petroleum appliances, (i) solid fuel fires, (j) solid fuel central heating, (k) oil-fired central heating boilers and (1) other agents. [9705]

Mr. Taylor

I have been asked to reply.

The estimated annual average UK totals for non-fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings from all causes, but excluding work-related accidents, are as follows:

Number
Live-fuel effect gas fires 87
Gas water heaters 106
Gas central heating 19
Other gas appliances n/a
Live fuel effect liquid petroleum gas fires n/a
Liquid petroleum gas water heaters n/a
Liquid petroleum gas central heating n/a
Other liquid gas petroleum appliances n/a
Solid fuel cooking ranges 51
Solid fuel fires 13
Solid fuel central heating n/a
Oil-fired central heating boilers n/a
Non-appliance-related accidents 169
Unknown source 85

n/a—No data available.

Coroners' returns of fatalities from carbon monoxide do not contain the degree of detail necessary for the categorisation specified in the question. However, the special report, "Poisoning by Carbon Monoxide from Domestic Heating Appliances", sponsored by the Department's consumer safety unit and published in 1995 by Metra-Martech Ltd., copies of which are available in the Library of the House, contains estimates of the annual totals of accidents and fatalities, classified separately by appliance and fuel type.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in deaths and injury annually are caused by(a) natural gas, (b) liquid petroleum gas, (c) solid fuel, (d) domestic fuel oil and (e) other agents. [9719]

Mr. Taylor

I have been asked to reply.

The estimated annual average UK totals over the latest five years for non-fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings from all causes, but excluding work-related accidents, are as follows:

Number
Natural gas 212
Liquid petroleum gas 1—
Solid fuel 64
Domestic fuel oil 1—
Other agents 1—
1No accidents registered on the Home Accident Surveillance System.

The annual averages over the latest five years for accidental carbon monoxide fatalities from all causes in England and Wales, again excluding work-related accidents, are as follows:

Number
Natural gas 25
Liquid petroleum gas 3
Solid fuel 7
Domestic fuel oil 1
Unknown agents 10
Non-appliance 79

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning resulting in deaths and injury there have been in the last 10 years. [9706]

Mr. Taylor

I have been asked to reply.

The number of accidental injuries owing to carbon monoxide poisoning in Great Britain from home heating appliances is estimated as follows:

  • 1985: 215
  • 1986: 161
  • 1987: 176
  • 1988: 53
  • 1989: 130
  • 1990: 128
  • 1991: 228
  • 1992: 244
  • 1993: 105
  • 1994: 211
Source: DTI report on Carbon Monoxide poisoning from Domestic Heating Appliances.

The comparable figures for accidental figures owing to carbon monoxide poisoning from non-appliance-related cases are:

  • 1985: 151
  • 1986: 101
  • 1987: 59
  • 1988: 309
  • 1989: 74
  • 1990: 110
  • 1991: 285
  • 1992: 89
  • 1993: 42
  • 1994: 273

The annual totals for fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning from domestic heating appliances are:

  • 1985: 16
  • 1986: 76
  • 1987: 52
  • 1988: 39
  • 1989: 42
  • 1990: 46
  • 1991: 51
  • 1992: 50
  • 1993: 311
  • 1994: 301
Note: 1Flammable gas sources only.

The comparable figures for fatalities from carbon monoxide poisoning, from non-appliance-related cases, are:

  • 1985: 22
  • 1986: 249
  • 1987: 95
  • 1988: 122
  • 1989: 54
  • 1990: 102
  • 1991: 35
  • 1992: 30
  • 1993: n/a
  • 1994: n/a
Note: n/a - No data available.

Back to