8 sickened by suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Taichung

Taichung, Jan. 31 (CNA) Eight family members in Taichung were hospitalized for suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning early Friday and have stabilized after treatment, according to rescuers and medical staff.

According to Tungs' Taichung Metro Harbor Hospital, the victims are from Wuqi District and range in age from 7 to 50. They experienced symptoms such as dizziness and limb weakness before the local fire department was notified at 3:13 a.m.

The patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy and were later kept in for further observation, the hospital said.

An initial investigation by the Taichung City Fire Bureau found that an outdoor gas water heater installed on the rear balcony may have caused the incident. Gas detectors at the scene recorded a CO concentration of 110 parts per million (ppm), well above the average indoor level of 0.5 to 5 ppm.

Poor ventilation on the balcony likely caused a CO buildup, which drifted indoors to the fourth floor of the five-story building where the family lives, the bureau said.

Taiwan's Indoor Air Quality Act states the permissible CO level is an average of 9 ppm over eight hours.