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Ill. officials track rise in carbon monoxide poisonings

Cold blamed for malfunctioning heating systems
By Jim Ritter
Chicago Sun Times

CHICAGO, Ill. — Carbon monoxide poisoning is way up this year.
The Illinois Poison Center is on track to get 1,200 calls about CO poisoning in 2006 — a 37 percent increase over last year.

Center director Dr. Michael Wahl blamed colder weather: When heating systems work harder, they are more likely to release carbon monoxide through various malfunctions.

Full Story: Carbon monoxide poisonings up