Identifying Carbon Monoxide Hazards in Commercial and Recreational Boats in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s archipelago provides hundreds of miles of shoreline that offer an ideal environment for recreational boating and numerous commercial boating applications. The vast majority of these boats are powered by various forms of combustion engines which produce carbon monoxide (CO).  
 
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. All people and animals can be at risk for CO poisoning, but certain groups, such as unborn babies, infants and people with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems are often more susceptible to its effects.
 
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division warns boaters that exposure to carbon monoxide can harm or cause death to people both inside and outside of a boat. They state, “Every boater should be aware of the risks associated with carbon monoxide - what it is; where it may accumulate; and the symptoms of CO poisoning. To protect yourself, your passengers and those around you, learn all you can about CO.”
 
Combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, can accumulate almost anywhere in or around a boat when fuels such as gasoline, diesel, propane, charcoal or other carbon-based fuels burn. Exposure to CO can affect people while the boat is moored, anchored or underway. There have been numerous cases of boating-related poisoning and deaths associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. It is also suspected that a number of drowning cases are also likely due to CO.
 
“It doesn’t take long for exposure to CO to impact people, but carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Boat owners and operators should be knowledgeable about the risks and signs of CO poisoning. There should be marine grade approved CO detectors and the air quality professionals at Zimmetry Environmental offer real-time CO readings using state-of-art instrumentation in everything from pleasure and speed boats to freighters and cruise ships.”
 
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about carbon monoxide hazards on boats that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/jAoCBv5fv50
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their air quality, occupational, industrial hygiene, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail