Doctors advise caution while using gas geysers in bathrooms

Recently, when a 14-year-old girl stepped into the bathroom for a shower, little did she know that she would land in a life-threatening situation. When her mother realised that the girl was locked up in the bathroom for a long time, she pushed open the door and found her in an unresponsive state. 

Recently, when a 14-year-old girl stepped into the bathroom for a shower, little did she know that she would land in a life-threatening situation. When her mother realised that the girl was locked up in the bathroom for a long time, she pushed open the door and found her in an unresponsive state. 

She was rushed to the hospital and is now battling for life, relying on artificial ventilation and life support medications. Tests revealed dangerously high Carboxyhemoglobin levels, pointing to Carbon Monoxide (CO) intoxication caused by a gas geyser in the bathroom.

Doctors at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, where is being treated, said incomplete combustion of LPG used in gas geysers, especially the flue-less ones, emit toxic gases, CO being the most potent of them. 

Symptoms of CO intoxication are related to oxygen deprivation as this toxic gas displaces oxygen from the bloodstream in view of its enhanced affinity to haemoglobin. Symptoms related to CO exposure range from transient loss of consciousness to seizures, coma and heart ischemia (similar to a heart attack). 

Pointing out that gas geysers can cause serious health issues and even death if not used safely, doctors recommend that all manufacturers should implement precautionary measures and users should follow safety protocol. People should install a gas geyser only in well-ventilated bathrooms or should opt for an exhaust fan, if a bathroom is poorly ventilated, to efficiently clear away the toxic gas.

A Sivagnanam, Head of the Department and Consultant - Paediatric Emergency at Manipal Hospital, said the girl’s case is a wakeup call for collaboration among the public, manufacturers and government bodies to prevent such tragedies. “Manufacturers should develop and adhere to safety standards that minimise toxic emissions and the government should establish policies mandating safe installations and monitor compliance rigorously,” the doctor said.

She said hospitals must document and report CO poisoning cases to build a robust database for informed policy-making. “Whether daily exposure to this toxic agent for prolonged periods causes slow organ damage and symptoms related to the heart and brain are yet to be investigated,” the doctor said.