Carbon monoxide exposure 18 weeks

[appletree100]

I posted a few days ago but the story has developed.

Long story short is we had to have our gas shut off today because our gas cooker has been leaking. And probably has for atleast 6 months even a year since it was installed its been making our pots and pans black for that long which means it had not been working properly (wish i had known this or been more knowledgeable).

Our carbon monoxide alarm has never gone off and we tested it and seems to be fully functioning. Problem is a lovely lady on here suggested to get a digital one and as soon as i fitted it today and put the cooker on it read 30ppm. I instantly turned off the cooker and and levels went down to 0. I called the emergency gas number and they came and found the leak and said it was likely that because its leaking its not functioning properly and producing carbon monoxide. Thing is it obviously not produced enough to set our original alarm off and to be a danger to us all (i have a 3 year old too). We went to a&e and all got our levels tested and they were normal (oxygen and carbon monoxide).

I am stilll sick with worry literally. I know levels of carbon monoxide decrease quite quick and that why we are all okay, but i think we have been gulping in the stuff intermittently when we cook for even up to a year. How would this effect mmy unborn baby, I just wont know if my baby is alright until it is born.. I cant cope with this worry. So many what ifs.

Why doesnt the alarm go off sooner.. It has to be 50ppm for 6 hours or something.

Any advice or stories would be welcome

Such a worry, so sorry. My CO story was different as it was my old car that was poisoning us for who knows how long. Midwife picked up on my levels using breathaliser (very few seem trained to use them) and my levels were same as smoker of 20+ (I don't smoke at all). I was only 9 weeks pregnant at the time. DD then aged 1 and I ended up in hospital where blood tests showed our levels were raised and we spent night on oxygen, discharged in morning. Obviously really worried about unborn baby. But he's here now, no concerns about CO effects at all. I did quite a lot of research at the time (as the doctors knew nothing) and it seems like only very high exposure where you're blacking out in the third trimester can effect the baby. And even then it's really the mother that gets it.

Oh god what a worry!
No advice as haven't been in the same situation but just wanted to say try not to get yourself too upset
You've all been tested and you are all ok!
Giving you a big virtual hug x

Thank you for your responses xxxx so grateful... I do feel a little better about it today, the fact our levels were okay.

Just looking forward to holding new baby in my arms and seeing she is okay for myself xxx

Message for you all but particularly Appletree.
Please email me Stephanie Trotter [email protected] if you need help and advice. I might not get Internet for a few days as I may be off Grid. Please be aware that I am a volunteer and run a charity.

I really feel for you all. CO is bad enough without being pregnant and the worry that causes. I haven't been able to find a real expert in fetal CO and I've been trying for years.

Was the CO alarm to EN50291?

If so, did you buy it direct from a reputable supplier? These two things are vital when buying a CO alarm.

If you did both these things then we would be very interested in receiving your alarm and having it tested.

For your interest:-
The European Standard - EN50291
This standard will supersede the British Standard BS7860 in April 2006

This standard was implemented in April 2001. Products officially approved to this standard must be clearly marked with the EN50291 number and may also display the Kitemark symbol. This standard is running in parallel to the British Standard up until April 2006. This is to allow all manufacturers of BS approved products to change over to the new European standard.
After April 2006 the only valid standard across Europe will be EN50291.
Main alarm requirements:
• at 30ppm CO, the alarm must not activate for at least 120 minutes
• at 50ppm CO, the alarm must not activate before 60 minutes but must activate before 90 minutes
• at 100ppm CO, the alarm must not activate before 10 minutes but must activate before 40 minutes
• at 300ppm CO, the alarm must activate within 3 minutes