News
NAPIT PLEDGES MORE SUPPORT FOR CO-AWARENESS WEEK 2008
Shockingly it was revealed at the House of Lords back in October 2007 that over 5 million gas appliances in homes and businesses around the UK could be faulty. This equates to the realisation that potentially 1-3 people in the UK are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to industry sources, between April 2007 and Mar 2008 there were 63 incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances within the UK, resulting in 21 deaths and a further 125 fatal injuries.
In the fight for justice for people poisoned by exposure to the products of combustion and to raise awareness of carbon monoxide dangers an ongoing campaign was launched by charitable organisation CO-Awareness. The President and founder of the organisation, Lynn Griffiths, whose whole family has suffered as a result of carbon monoxide exposure, is due to launch the third CO-Awareness Week on Monday 17th November 2008.
Main Sponsor, the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), are providing funds to pay for blood tests on behalf of carbon monoxide poisoned victims. NAPIT hope to show further support by sponsoring the CO-Awareness week and appeal for further sponsors to step forward. John Andrews, Chief Executive of NAPIT, says: “The government are consistently ignoring the plight of what are called CO victims, at every turn excuses are made about the lack of real progress, the measures that were first proposed more than ten years ago have still not been implemented.
Time and again we are told that discussions and yet more research is under way, because most politicians and many civil servants mistakenly believe that talking is the same as real action – or is it just a case of talking instead of spending?”, he continued, “I looked back at the speech I gave in the House of Lords last year and the one I gave the year before when preparing one for this year and low and behold I could say exactly the same speech again because nothing has happened. What I will ask again this year is - when will the talking stop and the action begin?”
Lynn Griffiths, President and founder of CO-Awareness comments:
“CO-Awareness have become increasingly concerned at the growing number of victims who are going on to develop similar, if not identical, illnesses which we are told are not connected to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. The only other thing our victims have in common is they were all poisoned by the "products of combustion" from faulty appliances. We suspect that its these chemicals that are responsible for the long term health issues that so many victims are suffering from. Many metals found in the ‘products of Combustion’ are catalysts; a small amount of them can create a big change in the levels between just two other chemicals. We believe that it’s these chemicals that have contributed to our victims’ ongoing health problems and we will continue to actively research this possible link to other chemicals. Once again we would like to thank NAPIT for trying to help our victims get the medical help they so desperately need. It’s a pity other parts of Industry are not as willing!”
For anyone that has been diagnosed, left suffering or have lost a loved one as a result of carbon monoxide CO-Awareness Week will be very supportive and informative. Events will take place across the country starting on Monday 17th November in the House of Lords, Tuesday, the Northern Ireland Assembly, Wednesday, the Welsh Assembly, Thursday, the Scottish Parliament and finally moving to the Council Chambers at Liverpool’s Town Hall on the Friday, all running between 10.30am – 12.30pm.
If you require more information on the CO-Awareness Week or would just like to offer a kind donation please call: 07715899296, or alternatively please visit: www.co-awareness.org