Citation

Kim ID, Yun DR, Choi YO, Yun IC, Lee CK, Yang YH. Korean J. Prev. Med. 1972; 5(1): 9-15.

Affiliation

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1972, Korean Society for Preventive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most serious health problems in Korea, because we have been encountered with the highest incidence of CO poisoning in the world due to the unique heating system in home called "ondal". We opened Hyperbaric chamber unit in the Seoul National University Hospital last Jan, 1969. We have treated 848 patients as of Sept. 30., 1972, around 44 months period. We collected the informations on the environmental conditions of the place where CO intoxication actually occurred by filling up the questionaire from 505 patients. The following finding were obtained. 1. Age distribution showed that the highest incidence was found in the younger age group between age of 10 to age of 29 in both sex. 2. Sex ratio of the patients was 1:1.14. 3. The socio-economic level of the patient was relatively low. 4. Housewife and housemaid were the major victims of the intoxication in the female patients and in the case of the male patient, occupational backgrounds were diverse. 5. Many patients form the middle class experienced the intoxication bu sleeping at newly built room. 6. Many intoxication has been occurred in the structure of houses where communicating doors are existing between living room and kitchen. 7. All findings obtained taught us again that CO poisoning is the serious by-product of the national fuel policy which put emphasis on the use of coal and socio-economic status is very important parameter in this hazards.