Carbon Monoxide Deaths Linked to Cold

ATLANTA — Carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicle exhaust causes more deaths in parts of the country where winters are coldest, federal health officials said Friday.

Many people die of carbon monoxide poisoning starting a vehicle in a garage, mistakenly thinking that opening the door or windows provides enough fresh air to avoid the risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

“In poorly ventilated spaces such as garages, opening the doors and windows is not enough to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning,” Dr. Lauren Ball said.

Carbon monoxide from motor vehicle exhaust is the biggest single cause of poisoning deaths, the CDC said. Of 11,547 accidental carbon monoxide deaths from 1979 to 1988, 57% were caused by motor vehicle exhaust. Of those, 83% involved stationary vehicles.