Weather forces truckers to weigh warmth, carbon monoxide risks
“As temperatures continue to plunge into single digits around the country, truck drivers are forced to idle or use an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or a portable generator to stay warm.
“A former truck driver says she’s on a mission to save lives, pushing for Underwriters Laboratories, a nonprofit product safety testing and certification organization, to develop a standard for carbon monoxide detectors in Class 8 trucks.
“In the past few years, Chomo said that truck drivers in their 30’s and early 40’s have been found dead in their trucks. The cause is often ruled as heart attacks, but Chomo suspects some may have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, blood tests must be done to determine whether this is the cause.
“Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic flu-like symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.”