The cause of accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings often involves an interaction of poor vehicular design, flimsy vehicular construction, poor vehicular maintenance, faulty repair work, and careless use of the vehicle. An approach to the reduction of these accidents must therefore concentrate on practical ways to prevent, detect, and eliminate vehicular defects leading to the introduction of exhaust gases into passenger compartments.
Examples of such methods include redesign of exhaust systems, implementation of sturdier construction materials, more comprehensive motor vehicle inspection systems, and the education of vehicle owners and vehicle repairmen on the prevention and detection of defects in vehicular exhaust systems and components of vehicle bodies adjacent to the exhaust system.
Case studies are presented representing common modes of CO poisoning in vehicular settings, and for each case a cause is determined and discussed in terms of preventive action needed. Suggestions for familiarizing all persons involved in the operation and repair of motor vehicles with practical means by which to determine the integrity of the exhaust system and vehicle body are proposed as a step toward reducing the human errors which result in accidental CO poisonings.