– When you rent a brand new car, you expect it to be in order, says Sten Cato Nordsæther (41) from Trondheim. At the weekend, news told the story of Isak Dreyer, who could have died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the car. Nordsæther himself experienced a similar episode. Together with a friend, he flew to Helsinki in Finland and hired a car. The first few days everything went well. It was when they were about to drive back that they both gradually got worse. They became nauseous, cold and frozen. – I was in terrible shape and could hardly stand upright. An ambulance was called. In the rental car, they had to open all the windows. The trip, which had started so well, ended with both of them being in terrible shape at the same time. They had the heater on, the hot air blowing straight at Sten Cato. While the air valve was left on the mate’s side of the car. It probably contributed to him doing somewhat better. Sten Cato Nordsæther was about to pass out when, not long afterwards, they stopped at a petrol station. He was numb and strange in his body. Here they quickly called for an ambulance. – I struggled to breathe. He was given breathing support and oxygen inside the ambulance. That helped. – They did an excellent job. The ambulance staff had no doubt about what it was, that it was coal poisoning, he says. Nor is it the pulmonologist he went to afterwards. Carbon dioxide poisoning Carbon dioxide is an odorless and invisible gas that is difficult to detect. This gas, carbon monoxide, can be formed from car exhaust or during fires. It can occur from charcoal grills and from propane-powered appliances. Symptoms of coal poisoning are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. More serious symptoms are fainting, altered breathing, confusion, reduced blood pressure, chest pain. Call 113 in case of severe symptoms. Remove the person from the source without putting yourself in danger. Avoid exertion, ensure calmness and rest after exposure. Poisons Information (22 59 13 00, open 24 hours a day) can give advice on further follow-up. Source: Helse Norge Sten Cato struggled to breathe, and could hardly stand upright. In the photo, he has improved after receiving oxygen and treatment in the ambulance. Photo: Privat Getting quick treatment crucial Alf Magne Heggli is Sten Cato’s pulmonologist. He does not wish to comment on the specific case, but answers on a general basis. – Sometimes the patient does not contact a doctor urgently and then they may have had exposure that has been harmful without it being detected immediately, says Heggli. Heggli says the amount and duration of the exposure is what determines any damage. Short exposure may be harmless. He says it is often other gases and toxic particles, in addition to coal ash, that cause both acute and delayed injuries. A serious poisoning results in a high risk of long-term neurological damage, says the pulmonologist. – It is very important to get quick treatment. Hospital treatment with O2 supply is important, and it may be appropriate to use suppressive treatment for inflammation in the bronchi, he says. NAF has heard from several NAFs are aware that exhaust can seep in from cars, also while driving if something is wrong with the car. – We have had cases where members have said that they smell exhaust in the passenger compartment while driving. Our recommendation in such cases is to have it examined at a workshop due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and to use the car as little as possible. That’s what communications advisor Nils Sødal at NAF says. He says that what could theoretically happen are leaks, because there is not a tight enough seal between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment. The air intake inside the car is often under the windscreen. If the leak is large enough, then exhaust can get in here. NAF is aware that members have told about leaks of exhaust in the compartment while driving. Photo: NAF Rental car firm denies wrongdoing Sten Cato Nordsæther and his friend had rented a new hybrid car on the trip in Finland. The rental car was sent to a garage after the incident. Sten Cato contacted the Finnish rental car company several times to confirm what was wrong with the rental car. It took a long time to get an answer from the rental car company, and he also had to nag. news has seen the reply that came from the rental car company, and it says the following: “We apologize for the problems you have had while renting the car. The car has been examined, but there are no indications of a fault, which could have led to carbon monoxide poisoning. In any case, you will not have to pay anything for renting the car.” – I didn’t have the energy and stamina to take the case further then, says Sten Cato Nysæther. – Could the car have been stationary and idling during this trip. Could it lead to carbon monoxide poisoning? – I am absolutely certain that the car has not been idling at any time during the journey, he says. news has been in contact with the dealer of this car brand. They are not aware that there have been any challenges related to exhaust leakage to the compartment. On sick leave for almost a year He was on sick leave for almost a year. Sten Cato is still struggling with his lungs. – The form is much better, but I still struggle with breathing. I sometimes feel like I can’t catch my breath well enough. After he returned home to Trondheim, he had a child. Sten Cato Nordsæther realizes that things could have gone wrong on the trip. – Fortunately, it went well. Now the training is underway, but everything is not yet quite as before. – It has required an incredible amount at an important time in life with young people and house building.
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Sten Cato Nordsæther was poisoned by coal in a rental car in Finland – news Trøndelag
