Pensioner in fear of poisoning (From Penarth Times)

Pensioner in fear of poisoning

A VULNERABLE Penarth pensioner says she is living in constant fear of carbon monoxide poisoning after having her gas boiler condemned as unsafe and dangerous to use eight times in the last 13 years.

Doreen Cox, 78, lives in a council-owned house in Laburnum Way. She told the Times: "I have had problems with the gas fire ever since it was installed. Four years ago I was rushed into hospital after being overwhelmed by a floating dizziness. It left me unable to breathe and I could hardly walk. A doctor at the Cardiff Royal Infirmary confirmed that I was suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Over the years my carbon monoxide alarm has been set off many times. I am 78 and I do not want to die of carbon monoxide poisoning because of somebody's negligence."

Following their last visit to Mrs Cox's house on October 13, Transco wrote to Mrs Cox and said: "When our service engineer visited your home recently a gas appliance or gas pipework was found which was either unsafe or which could not be confirmed as being safe. You could be breaking the law if you use a gas appliance knowing it to be unsafe."

Lorraine Barrett AM has joined Mrs Cox in her call for peace of mind. She said: "This has been going on for 13 years. Mrs Cox has had blood tests to prove that she has suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning. I can't believe that the Vale Council haven't replaced the boiler in all these years." A council spokesman said: "Mrs Cox believes that her boiler is leaking carbon monoxide and so has contacted Transco on several occasions.

"Transco has never tested for a carbon monoxide leak as their role is only to automatically condemn any appliance owned by a local authority as a safety precaution and then ask the council to investigate further.

"The council has never been able to find evidence of a problem with the boiler and on the last visit to the house, Mrs Cox would not allow tests for carbon monoxide to be carried out.

"As Mrs Cox is clearly still concerned, we are currently in the process of contacting an independent expert to look at the boiler."