Top RI Forensic Expert Urges People to Take Precautions to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
GoLocalProv News Team
Top RI Forensic Expert Urges People to Take Precautions to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, was found dead by a family member in his hotel room on March 21, while the family was staying at the Arenas Del Mar resort in Costa Rica
His cause of death was due to carbon monoxide inhalation, according to the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) of Costa Rica, as reported by CNN.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis week, GoLocal spoke with Rhode Island’s Dr. Priya Banerjee, who has become one of the top forensic experts in the country. Turn on CNN or HLN and you will see her giving top-tiered analysis on the biggest criminal cases.
Banerjee is nationally and internationally regarded with high-profile cases, from the wrongful death of Breonna Taylor, to various U.S. military cases and NSA clearance retention.
One of Banerjee’s top tips?
Always travel with a portable carbon monoxide detector.
“Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. It is poisonous to humans and animals in excessive amounts,” said Banerjee. “The sources are widespread and commonly found around us in everyday life: car and truck exhaust, lawn mowers, generators, gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, gas-powered space heaters, smoking, charcoal grills, burning coal and welding equipment.”
“Regardless of how it is formed, carbon monoxide is a gas that mixes into the air and then is inhaled into the lungs (along with normal air components like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide). Once it is in the body via the lungs, it is absorbed into the blood. CO goes into the red blood cell and takes the place of oxygen,” said Banerjee. “Thus, oxygen cannot be delivered around the body to the organs which need it. The brain is the largest user of oxygen and the lack of it then causes permanent brain damage leading to death. All other major organs also shut down due to a lack of oxygen.”
“A whiff of carbon monoxide will not kill anyone,” she said. “But the accumulation in the blood occurs slowly. At lower levels, there are flu like symptoms: headache, shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, tiredness, drowsiness, and stomach pain. People often don't realize this is even happening and it can be too late.”
Banerjee urged people to take precautions.
“It is critical to have working carbon monoxide detectors near every major area in the house including bedrooms. As a forensic pathologist, I have them in every room in my house,” said Banerjee. “And I have portable monitor which I carry with me for travel anywhere."
“These are cheap detectors (often less than $20) than can be plugged in or run on batteries,” she added. “They save lives.”
PHOTO: Marco Lastella/Unsplash