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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 18, 2014 03:53 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Adam Ravenstahl |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Schools |
| In the near future, I will be re-introducing legislation that will require all public and nonpublic schools in the Commonwealth to install carbon monoxide detection and warning devices. It is my sincere hope you will join me in this important effort. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas produced by incomplete combustion in fuel-burning devices such as motor vehicles, gas-powered furnaces and portable generators. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional exposure to the toxic gas accounts for an estimated 20,000 emergency department visits and 400 unintentional deaths in the United States each year. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unfortunately, I have personal experience with the dangers of this silent killer, having lost family members to CO exposure. There have been several reports of carbon monoxide poisoning occurring in schools. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. Thus, the need for CO detectors in schools is great. Presently, Pennsylvania law does not require schools to install carbon monoxide detectors. In fact, only a few states require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in schools. My legislation seeks to improve the safety of students and teachers by requiring each building with fossil-fuel burning heating systems or appliances to be equipped with these crucial devices, as ensuring the health and safety of our children should be of the utmost importance to us as legislators. Former Co-Sponsors - RAVENSTAHL, DEASY, READSHAW, D. COSTA, KORTZ, MATZIE, P. DALEY, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHLOSSBERG, MAHONEY, O'BRIEN, McGEEHAN, DONATUCCI, CALTAGIRONE, HARHAI, CARROLL, FABRIZIO, DEAN, PASHINSKI, NEILSON, BRADFORD, V. BROWN, GOODMAN, THOMAS, DAVIDSON, KIRKLAND, HESS, BOBACK, PETRI, STEPHENS, MILLARD, MILNE and FARRY |
Introduced as HB896
Memo Updated: December 18, 2014 03:54 PM