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09-08-2006, 12:51 PM
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Brent Whiting
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 8, 2006 11:10 AM
Officials have issued a warning about the risk of carbon monoxide at a popular partying spot at Lake Pleasant.
They say there is a poisoning danger for people who swim or frolick in the waters of Humbug Cove, a secluded area at the northern end of the lake that is sheltered from the wind.
"The density of watercraft and the large numbers of people gathering at Humbug Cove creates an environment for individuals to become exposed to excessive carbon monoxide emissions," according to the Arizona Department of Health Serivces and Peoria Fire Department study. advertisement
Howard Munding, the Peoria fire marshal, said Friday that education is probably the best way to attack the problem.
"People need to be aware of potential danger and exercise caution when out having fun at the lake," Munding said.
The reports takes exception to a 2004 national study that deemed "no apparent health hazard" at Lake Pleasant.
The latest report is based on carbon monoxide monitoring at Humbug Cove over the Independence Day weekend.
Air monitor alarms sounded 11 times over the weekend, indicating unsafe carbon monoxide levels, the report says.
The danger was underscored July 23 when two women suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while swimming the cove.
The women, ages 19 and 20, were pulled from the water by off-duty firefighters from Daisy Mountain and Sun City, then received first aid before being taken to a Phoenix hospital for treatment.
The incident seemed to trump a January 2004 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services saying there was no apparent health hazard at the lake.
The report conceded carbon monoxide levels tend to be higher at Humbug Cove "because many boaters idle their engines in the cove to socialize with other boaters."
The nationwide study was spurred by a spate of poisonings and deaths at Lake Powell, straddling Arizona and Utah.
Last week's report says there are dangers at Humbug Cove, because of idling boats, alcohol consumption and protection from wind and natural ventilation.
"Add exposure to the sun and heat to the mix, and the risk of injury and adverse health effects increases even more," according to the six-page study.
The report says public-safety officials will continue to encourage people to limit their exposure to carbon monoxide while swimming or boating at Arizona lakes.
Reach the reporter at brent.whiting@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6937.
Brent Whiting
The Arizona Republic
Sept. 8, 2006 11:10 AM
Officials have issued a warning about the risk of carbon monoxide at a popular partying spot at Lake Pleasant.
They say there is a poisoning danger for people who swim or frolick in the waters of Humbug Cove, a secluded area at the northern end of the lake that is sheltered from the wind.
"The density of watercraft and the large numbers of people gathering at Humbug Cove creates an environment for individuals to become exposed to excessive carbon monoxide emissions," according to the Arizona Department of Health Serivces and Peoria Fire Department study. advertisement
Howard Munding, the Peoria fire marshal, said Friday that education is probably the best way to attack the problem.
"People need to be aware of potential danger and exercise caution when out having fun at the lake," Munding said.
The reports takes exception to a 2004 national study that deemed "no apparent health hazard" at Lake Pleasant.
The latest report is based on carbon monoxide monitoring at Humbug Cove over the Independence Day weekend.
Air monitor alarms sounded 11 times over the weekend, indicating unsafe carbon monoxide levels, the report says.
The danger was underscored July 23 when two women suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while swimming the cove.
The women, ages 19 and 20, were pulled from the water by off-duty firefighters from Daisy Mountain and Sun City, then received first aid before being taken to a Phoenix hospital for treatment.
The incident seemed to trump a January 2004 report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services saying there was no apparent health hazard at the lake.
The report conceded carbon monoxide levels tend to be higher at Humbug Cove "because many boaters idle their engines in the cove to socialize with other boaters."
The nationwide study was spurred by a spate of poisonings and deaths at Lake Powell, straddling Arizona and Utah.
Last week's report says there are dangers at Humbug Cove, because of idling boats, alcohol consumption and protection from wind and natural ventilation.
"Add exposure to the sun and heat to the mix, and the risk of injury and adverse health effects increases even more," according to the six-page study.
The report says public-safety officials will continue to encourage people to limit their exposure to carbon monoxide while swimming or boating at Arizona lakes.
Reach the reporter at brent.whiting@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6937.