Mobile Homes and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

One Family Nearly Lost Their Baby

A family in Utah was recently charged with nutritional neglect of their infant son. They spent months fighting the charges in court. However, it wasn't until expert investigation was done that the real cause of their son's illness was determined. It was carbon monoxide poisoning caused by inadequate venting in their mobile home.

The Conrads live in a factory built home, or mobile home. According to Thomas Greiner, associate professor of engineering at Iowa State University, these homes have "stubby" furnace vents that in cold winter weather can be covered by snow, which in turn can block the intake and exhaust vents for the furnaces. Greiner reports having seen this type of thing in homes with flat roofs. In an earlier media report he said that several cases have almost resulted in death, and one person ended up in hospital 3 times before the problem was diagnosed.

In the Conrad's home, the stubby vents became blocked with snow, causing carbon monoxide build-up in the gas furnace, which in turn found its way into the fresh air intakes and back into the house. This went on for weeks, and could have proved lethal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 600 Americans die annually from acute carbon monoxide poisoning. According to a study done by Rhode Island Hospital over a 12 month period approximately 11,000 cases of low level poisoning go undetected every year.

While international building codes state that vents in a conventional home must be placed a minimum of 10 feet apart, critics say local officials often ignore manufactured housing because it carries the Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) red seal of approval.

About 8 million Americans currently live in manufactured homes. The Conrads are the first family to report air quality problems with their mobile home, and as a result of their case, regulators are seeking changes in legislation to promote testing for carbon monoxide by health care professionals. However the problem of vent placements on these homes remains.

Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered ill health as a result of poor ventilation and carbon monoxide poisoning in these or similar circumstances, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.
Published on Feb-25-09