The story of the Sambhavna Clinic, a non-profit holistic health clinic in Bhopal, India, built to treat those injured by the Union Carbide toxic gas release in 1984. enlarge video
Fears over carbon monoxide poisoning figures
The United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures show reported deaths to be lower than a decade ago. But research suggests many cases are missed because medical staff do not routinely test for the poisoning. The HSE said it accepted there was underreporting in all health and safety matters.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless poisonous gas which is produced when fuel does not burn properly. It leaks from boilers, gas appliances or flues that have not been properly installed or maintained.
According to the HSE, four people died and 117 fell ill as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning at home in the year to June 2010. Seventeen people died and 86 became ill the previous year. But 5 live Investigates has seen research (pdf) by the Gas Safety Trust charity, which suggests the true figure may be much higher.
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