Brief Report: Investigation of a Home with Extremely Elevated Carbon Dioxide Levels --- West Virginia, December 2003

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Investigations of indoor air quality complaints typically focus on mold, water damage, ventilation systems, and combustion byproducts and are guided by the nature of the symptoms observed in affected persons. This report documents the investigation of exposures at a home in which the occupants had unusual respiratory and neurologic symptoms.

Case Report and Initial Investigations

In June 2001, a man and a woman, both of whom were smokers, previously healthy, and aged 42 years, moved into a newly built, two-story home. Shortly after moving in, the woman noted episodic shortness of breath, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fatigue while in the finished basement. The man reported episodic mild confusion, poor concentration, headache, and blurry vision while working in the basement. Their symptoms always resolved within minutes of returning upstairs.

The natural gas water-heater pilot light located in the basement recurrently went out; however, gas company and fire department inspections did not reveal gas leaks, methane, or carbon monoxide (CO). In July 2003, the woman went to a hospital emergency department (ED) on two consecutive mornings with shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and panic. She was admitted and had new asthma diagnosed, as well as a cardiomyopathy (35% cardiac ejection fraction) attributed to a 1997 varicella infection. However, her basement-related symptoms persisted despite newly prescribed cardiac and respiratory medications.

In October 2003, the man entered a 30- by 70- by 3-foot crawlspace adjacent to the finished basement for a 3-hour period to investigate potential gas leaks. He reported feeling breathless and felt a "strong gush" of air when he opened an access door to the below-grade crawlspace, and later noted hoarseness. In November 2003, the man and a hired contractor became breathless after they entered the crawlspace. That day, another fire department inspection indicated negative readings for CO and methane in the basement. Four hours later, the man went to a hospital ED with rapid respiration and a burning sensation in his eyes. He had a mildly elevated carboxyhemoglobin level (6%) and was discharged with a diagnosis of acute CO exposure (1)*.

In December 2003, two contractors had onset of hoarseness and rapid heart rate while at the crawlspace entrance. One man reported a metallic taste. The fire department responded and, on arrival, the first firefighter felt a strong draft at the crawlspace entrance that "took his breath away." Levels of CO, methane, and other explosive gases were below limits of detection. The fire department then called the county Hazardous Materials Incident Response Team (HMIRT).

HMIRT found low oxygen (O₂) levels in the basement and called the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) to investigate further. The WVDEP field investigator documented O₂ concentrations as low as 14% in the crawlspace (normal air: 21%). Suspecting that carbon dioxide (CO₂), a colorless and odorless gas, had displaced the oxygen, WVDEP requested technical assistance from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to measure CO₂ concentrations and, if levels were elevated, to help identify CO₂ sources and recommend control strategies. NIOSH assisted WVDEP with CO₂ sampling, contacted the county and state health departments, and assisted with interviewing the homeowners and reviewing relevant records.

CO₂ Sampling and Monitoring

A direct-reading, high-concentration CO₂ monitor (detection range up to 50% CO₂) was used for short-term sampling and continuous monitoring. WVDEP documented CO₂ concentrations as high as 9.5% in the basement crawlspace, 11% in the crawlspace gravel, and 12% in the basement floor drain (normal air: 0.035% CO₂). CO₂ levels on the upper floors exceeded the upper limit of detection (1%) of a standard CO₂ monitor. CO₂ levels in the soil surrounding the home were as high as 8%. Basement CO₂ levels remained elevated, regardless of whether the furnace was operating. The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit for CO₂ in workplaces is 0.5% (5,000 ppm) for a 40-hour workweek and 3.0% for a 15-minute short-term exposure limit; a level of 4.0% is designated as "immediately dangerous to life or health" (2).

Carbon isotopic composition analysis of air samples indicated a carbonate source of the excess CO₂ in the home, likely from mining (3). Mine maps confirmed that the home was built on a reclaimed surface coal mine and that an abandoned deep coal mine lay beneath the property. Renovations to the crawlspace redirected and limited ground CO₂ infiltration into the home. CO₂ concentrations have decreased to a maximum of 0.2% measured in the basement; O₂ concentrations have returned to normal, and related symptoms in the homeowners have resolved. Whether any neighboring homes were at risk for elevated CO₂ concentrations was unknown.

The results of this investigation underscore the need for heightened public awareness and special training for emergency response and utility workers, careful environmental measurements to assess potential risks, and precautions to avoid incapacitation and prepare for rescue during immediately dangerous conditions. Building codes that mandate preventive construction, including sealing cracks, maintaining positive pressure within the structure, and subsurface ventilation for new buildings over landfills, caves, and abandoned mines might also be appropriate public health actions.

Reported by: K Kreiss, MD, CY Rao, ScD, JM Harrison, MS, Div of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; SC Kaydos-Daniels, PhD, LG Benaise, MD, EIS officers, CDC.

The findings in this report are based, in part, on contributions by JA Moore, West Virginia Dept of Environmental Protection. T Jefferson, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, CDC.

References

* Blood carboxyhemoglobin levels of smokers might be higher than those of nonsmokers. In smokers, levels commonly reach 10% and can exceed 15%, compared with 1%--3% in nonsmokers.

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Brief Report: Investigation of a Home with Extremely Elevated Carbon Dioxide Levels --- West Virginia, December 2003

Case Report and Initial Investigations

CO2 Sampling and Monitoring

References

**Questions or messages regarding errors in formatting should be addressed to mmwrq@cdc.gov.

CO₂ Sampling and Monitoring