Headlines - Study on the factors contributing to carbon monoxide poisoning in households

The National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (Inpes) and the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) have partnered to conduct a study on the factors contributing to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in households that experienced accidental exposure during the heating season between September 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. A telephone survey is therefore being conducted with each household for which a CO poisoning case was reported to the Regional Health Agency (for our two regions). The purpose of this study is to provide new and complementary data to environmental investigations (which aim to identify the source of poisoning and the environmental factors causing it to prevent any risk of recurrence among households that have already experienced poisoning) in order to better describe the circumstances surrounding accidental domestic CO poisonings. The term "determinant" refers here both to individuals’ knowledge and behaviors regarding CO and its health effects (there are still many misconceptions or poor practices) and to the broader socio-economic, cultural, and environmental conditions, living and working conditions, social influences, as well as factors specific to the individual (such as gender, age, and hereditary factors). In particular, one of the objectives of this study is to describe the proportion of household income spent on housing and energy by households that have experienced accidental CO poisoning. Together, these determinants form a complex combination of multiple individual and collective factors that may influence, directly or indirectly, the occurrence of CO poisoning. The results of this study are awaited by the Directorate General for Health and the INPES to guide public health policies in this area and to continue the fight against CO poisoning.