Invisible Killer: Boiler Poisoned Woman

Tracey Condron suffered debilitating symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and nausea, initially believing she had a virus. These were in fact signs of slow poisoning by carbon monoxide leaking from a faulty boiler in her bedroom.

Her health rapidly declined, culminating in her collapsing at a neighbour's house. Paramedics revived her twice after she experienced cardiac arrests and seizures.

Doctors at Queen's Hospital, Romford, suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after learning she slept near the boiler. Tests confirmed their suspicion.

Each year, over 100 people in the UK die from carbon monoxide poisoning, with many others left with life-altering health problems. This invisible, odourless gas dangerously reduces oxygen delivery to vital organs, especially the brain.

Chronic low-level exposure can present symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and brain fog, easily mistaken for stress or infection. Severe exposure can lead to profound hypoxia, seizures, and potentially delayed brain injury weeks later.

Faulty heating and cooking appliances are common sources of leaks. Blood and breath tests for CO can be unreliable as the gas leaves the body quickly. December sees increased CO deaths due to more time spent indoors and higher heating use.

Tracey Condron, who now warns others on social media, survived but suffers ongoing seizures and daily pain, forcing her to give up work. She emphasizes the critical importance of working carbon monoxide alarms meeting the EN 50291 safety standard to prevent such tragedies.