PETALING JAYA: It is colourless, odourless, tasteless and deadly, striking with no warning, especially at long-haul drivers and car passengers.
Carbon monoxide poisoning has regularly taken lives, including entire families, over the years.
Malaysian Institute of Road Safety (Miros) chairman Dr Wong Shaw Voon said carbon monoxide is present in the atmosphere and when in small amounts, it is not harmful.
It is only when its levels increase within a confined space that it can become very dangerous, and victims will not be aware of it until it’s too late, he added.
“Typically, victims of carbon monoxide poisoning just feel sleepy and doze off, but it is deadly if one is exposed to it for some time,” he told The Star.
A family of four, including two children, were found unconscious in a car that had crashed into a toll booth barrier in Bentong on April 24.
The victims were believed to have been on their way from Tok Bali, Kelantan to Balakong, Selangor when the accident happened at 2.40pm.
According to the police, the medical examination confirmed the family were unconscious from lack of oxygen, but they were successfully revived and suffered no serious injuries.
“Carbon monoxide is a by-product of engine combustion that passes through the exhaust system, and cars are designed to prevent it from entering the cabin area, which is sealed.
“There have to be several coincidental factors to create a perfect storm for carbon monoxide poisoning to happen,” he added.
He said air from car air-conditioners systems are not the culprit but rather carbon monoxide emissions which find their way into the cabin of the vehicle.
He added that fumes from a leaky or damaged exhaust system can seep into the cabin area either through cracks in the rubber seals or small holes.
“Most of the time, drivers will switch on the car air-conditioner with the system on internal circulation mode.
“In this scenario, the carbon monoxide level gradually builds up and becomes dangerous after an extended period,” Wong said.
He also said that nowadays, cars are designed with electronic air circulation control systems, but older cars or those with modified exhaust systems are in greater danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Wong suggested car owners go the extra mile when sending their vehicle for regular maintenance by also ensuring their exhaust systems are in working order.
“We usually only do the regular oil change but rarely get the mechanic to have a look underneath the car to see if the exhaust is leaking or if there are any holes,” he said.
He also advised drivers on long trips to occasionally circulate the air in the vehicle’s cabin.
He said this could easily be done by selecting the appropriate air circulation mode or winding down the car window briefly.
Honda sales adviser Nicholas Foong of Tenaga Setia Resources said a worn-out weatherstrip on the tailgate or boot can result in exhaust fumes entering vehicles.
“While driving, it can create turbulence, pushing exhaust fumes into the vehicle if there is any leakage.
“Sometimes the hole drilled for a modified reverse camera, which is not sealed properly, can also be a cause. Other reasons could be a bad exhaust muffler or leaky exhaust pipes,” he added.
Foong said drivers who can smell exhaust fumes while driving should send the vehicles for an inspection.
Another expert, Izwan Wan Wan, said in some cases, the leaks can be in the oil seal.
“Once you think there is something off, please avoid any long journey because you may not know what will happen to the car or yourself,” he said. — MARTIN CARVALHO and FAZLEENA AZIZ
