Web exclusive: Minor carbon monoxide incident
Posted on January 24, 2008
JMU PC Services & Telecom employees received a virtual snow day Thursday after carbon monoxide was detected around 12:30 p.m. in their building at 1070 Virginia Avenue.
JMU Police and Harrisonburg Fire and Rescue responded to evaluate the situation.
According to Battalion Chief Tom Moffett of the Harrisonburg Fire Department, a heavy-duty saw being used inside to cut concrete produced the carbon monoxide. While it is normal for this to occur, the increased levels caused problems for some people inside, Moffett said.
Between 20-30 employees were working in the building at the time.
According to Moffett, meter readings for carbon monoxide inside the building were “a little higher than normal” and fans were set to clear the remaining gas.
The Environmental Protection Agency Web site describes basic symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure as “headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue.” Exposure effects vary from person to person.
