[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.91″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”2px|0px|8px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.19.7″ src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/CMONOXPWfeature_MRSN.jpg” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.92″ custom_padding=”2px|0px|37.9062px|0px” prev_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”0px|0px|18.9531px|0px” custom_margin=”10px|||” _builder_version=”3.0.92″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”News Story” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_margin=”0px||0px|”]<\/p>\n
By Shayla Nidever and Mary Ramsey<\/strong><\/p>\n This story is one in a continuing series covering the crisis in public housing in Columbia. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n After two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Columbia public housing complex, public safety officials and health experts are stepping up to warn\u00a0the public of the dangers of gas leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n For those who study the effects of carbon monoxide, like USC researcher Robin Dawson, the deaths of the two apartment dwellers\u00a0are a stark reminder of the importance of knowledge and accountability when it comes to gas leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cA preventable tragedy, unfortunately,\u201d she said. \u201cJust for the lack of a $20 carbon monoxide detector. I just don\u2019t understand it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Columbia fire chief Aubrey Jenkins, whose department responded to multiple calls about suspected gas leaks in the weeks and months leading up the abrupt closure of Allen Benedict Court in January has worked since to\u00a0educate homeowners and renters\u00a0about what to do in the event of a potential gas leak. More than 400 residents were rushed from their homes in the 1940s-era public housing complex.<\/span><\/p>\n Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness and fainting, nausea, severe headaches, confusion and sleepiness. At least one Allen Benedict resident reported experiencing symptoms as far back at July 2018, according to a lawsuit filed by that resident.<\/span><\/p>\n If you smell gas or experience symptoms, Jenkins said your first step should be to call 911. <\/span><\/p>\n Emergency officials can address the immediate issue: testing the air, shutting off the gas at the meter if there is a leak and notifying the gas company. From there, it\u2019s up to the homeowner, landlord or management company to follow up on the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen our firefighters respond to a call, they go out there for the sole purpose of taking care of the issue,\u201d Jenkins said. \u201cThey don\u2019t go through and do an inspection of the place. That\u2019s not what their role is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That means, according to Jenkins, that individuals and property owners are responsible for keeping up with fire and building codes related to carbon monoxide. <\/span><\/p>\n About 500 people die each year in the U.S. from carbon monoxide not related to a fire, according to the most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/span><\/p>\n Exposure to carbon monoxide isn\u2019t always fatal, but research suggests that it can also trigger long-term health issues, according to Dawson.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUsually if you\u2019re being exposed, once you remove the exposure, most people are going to recover fairly quickly and not have any long-lasting damage,\u201d she said. \u201cBut there are researchers here in the U.S. and beyond that are starting to see that there can be permanent neurologic damage, especially within our more vulnerable populations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Children and elderly people in particular, Dawson explained, may be more prone to memory issues after exposure.<\/span><\/p>\n Jenkins stressed that the easiest way to prevent a carbon monoxide issue is to have monitors in all living spaces that use any kind of gas or have a fireplace.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s odorless, it\u2019s colorless, and you can\u2019t see it. So that\u2019s why it\u2019s important to have a CO detector because at least that way you know if you have CO in your home or your apartment or whatever,\u201d he said. \u201cI just advise people to get it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Carbon monoxide detectors cost anywhere from about $20 to over $100 at home improvement stores, and some are plug-in, whereas others require installation. In South Carolina, any new home or older home undergoing a renovation that requires a building permit needs a detector if it has an attached garage or any appliances that run on propane, wood or other fuels.<\/span><\/p>\n Dawson said one of the most important factors is knowing what parts of your home are vulnerable to gas leaks and making sure detectors are able to catch them.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we can\u2019t see it, smell it, taste it, discern it in our environment means that we need carbon monoxide detectors,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 1″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/CMONOXP2W_MRSN.jpg”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption 1″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”8px|||2px” custom_padding=”|||”]<\/p>\n Robin Dawson began her career as a pediatrician and now researches the effects of carbon monoxide exposure with the USC College of Nursing.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 2″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/CMONOXPW3_MRSN.jpg”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption 2″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ text_font=”|600|||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”8px|||2px” custom_padding=”|||” background_layout=”light”]<\/p>\n Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins made the decision to evacuate Allen Benedict Court, a public housing complex, last month after deeming it unsafe.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 4″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/CMONOXGFX2_MRSN.jpg”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image 3″ show_in_lightbox=”on” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.19.7″ custom_margin=”||2px|” custom_padding=”|||” animation_style=”slide” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”4px” box_shadow_vertical=”4px” src=”http:\/\/carolinanewsandreporter.cic.sc.edu\/test\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/CMONOXGFX_MRSN.jpg”]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Public safety officials and researchers are emphasizing the importance of carbon monoxide awareness after two men died from carbon monoxide poisoning at Allen Benedict 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