Key West Injury Lawyer Blog
A new protein therapy discovered by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine may be the first-ever antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning, officials with the school announced this week.
The announcement followed the publication of their new study in the journal for Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). This came after researchers had bio-medically engineered a new molecule that could prove fruitful with reversing the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. The new molecule, said study corresponding author Dr. Mark T. Gladwin, has fewer side effects than other molecules that are currently being tested, including only minimal changes to blood pressure.
“This has the potential to become a rapid, intravenous antidote for carbon monoxide that could be given in the emergency department or even in the field by first-responders,” he said.
Carbon monoxide is a highly dangerous gas that, if allowed to build up in enclosed spaces, can prove fatal. The gas is both colorless and odorless, making it difficult for humans to detect before it is too late. When breathed in, it can bind to the hemoglobin in the blood and inhibit a person’s ability to carry oxygen.
The only treatments currently in use for exposure to the toxic gas are oxygen-based therapies. Despite treatment, however, many survivors live with long-term heart and/or brain damage after exposure. This new protein-based therapy — RcoM-HBD-CCC, which is short from regulator of metabolism — would “act like a sponge,” siphoning off carbon monoxide from a person’s blood. The new protein is “highly selective” and latches onto carbon monoxide without impacting oxygen and/or other molecules in the body. In tests on mice, the carbon monoxide was cleared from the body via urine.
Dr. Jason J. Rose, another one of the study’s researchers, called the molecule a “game-changer.”
“Given the promising results, we also see the potential for RcoM-HBD-CCC use in other areas, like as a blood substitute in severe anemia or hemorrhagic shock,” Rose said.
Leesfield & Partners
Leesfield & Partners is a personal injury law firm with 49 years of experience handling injury cases throughout Florida. With offices in Orlando, Miami and Key West, our attorneys have seen firsthand the catastrophic impact that carbon monoxide poisoning can have on families and individuals alike. The firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, played a key role in passing carbon monoxide mandates in the state. This made Florida among the first in the United States to pass such a law. While there had been laws requiring private residences in some states to come equipped with these detectors, SB 1822 was among the first to address this issue within public accommodations. Thanks to the involvement of Leesfield & Partners and other advocacy groups, the issue of carbon monoxide and its lethal effects was highlighted, making it a primary concern for lawmakers.
The firm has remained committed to raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and, in 2024, Mr. Leesfield and Trial Lawyer Evan Robinson co-authored an article discussing ways people can keep their families safe from carbon monoxide exposure.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning isn’t just a subtle threat; it’s the second most common cause of non-medicinal poisoning death,” they said.
Because carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, it can be incredibly difficult to detect before it builds up in an enclosed space. When someone breathes it in, it can quickly bind to the hemoglobin in their blood and inhibit the body’s ability to carry oxygen. Symptoms include fatigue, dizziness and confusion before a person loses consciousness. If this person does not seek immediate medical attention, carbon monoxide exposure can be fatal.
It is estimated that approximately 400 people in the United States die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning every year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. Over 100,000 people visit the emergency room annually for carbon monoxide exposure and more than 14,000 people are hospitalized every year.
“Every casualty from carbon monoxide poisoning has been unnecessary,” Mr. Leesfield said previously. “We have successfully represented numerous victims of carbon monoxide poisoning for 48 years and fought hard for the passage of Senate Bill 1822.”
Previous Cases
The firm obtained over $11 million for a woman exposed to carbon monoxide while at a resort.
While representing an Iowa family exposed to carbon monoxide while staying at a Key west hotel, Leesfield & Partners attorneys obtained a $1.4 million settlement for the family. Luckily, in that case, the family was able to call for emergency services before passing out from breathing in the poisonous gas.
A student who was visiting a college campus and staying at an accommodation owned by the university had to be hospitalized after being exposed to carbon monoxide as the student slept. In an investigation, attorneys found that there was over 200 ppm inside the house. The maximum carbon monoxide level that is considered “safe” while indoors is 9 ppm over eight hours, according to gas measurement specialists. The cause of the leak in that case was found to be an exhaust pipe in from the house’s furnace.
A confidential settlement was reached in that case.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips
- Install a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home.
- Appliances such as dryers, water heaters, and gas stoves should be inspected by a professional annually.
- Some of the things to check for include ensuring the appliances are properly vented and are free from rust or corrosion.
- In South Florida, where hurricanes have been known to leave entire blocks without power for weeks on end, homeowners should make sure not to use their portable generators in enclosed spaces like a garage. All portable generators should be used in well-ventilated areas and be kept away from doors, windows and vents.
- Keep air ducts and ventilators clean and unobstructed to maintain proper ventilation.
