Carbon Monoxide Exposure from Portable Generators

Published

October 28, 2014

Author(s)

Steven J. Emmerich, Andrew K. Persily, Liangzhu Wang

Abstract

Serious concerns exist about the hazard of acute residential carbon monoxide (CO) exposures from portable gasoline-powered generators, which can result in death or serious adverse health effects. As of April 23, 2013 and as shown in Figure 1, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) databases contain records of at least 800 deaths (involving 597 incidents) from CO poisoning caused by consumer use of a generator in the period of 1999 through 2012 (Hnatov 2013). Typically, these deaths occur when consumers use a generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space or, less often, outdoors near a partially open door, window or vent. While avoiding the operation of such generators in or near a home is expected to reduce indoor CO exposures significantly, it may not be realistic to expect such usage to be eliminated completely.

Citation

ASHRAE Journal

Volume

56

Issue

9

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

carbon monoxide, indoor air quality, portable generator, residential

Citation

Emmerich, S. , Persily, A. and Wang, L. (2014), Carbon Monoxide Exposure from Portable Generators, ASHRAE Journal, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=916491 (Accessed October 18, 2025)