Portal News

Updated Data

The following datasets including all measures have been updated on the MiTracking data portal. To complete a query, select the measure from the drop down box and then select run query.

• Childhood Annual Blood Lead Levels (2022).
• Community Drinking Water:
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5) (2021-2022).
  • Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (2021-2022).
• Drug Poisoning (overdose):
  • All drug mortality (2020-2021).
  • Opioid-involved mortality (2021)
• Hospitalizations:
  • Asthma (2019).
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (2019).
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (2019).
  • Heart attacks (2019).
  • Heat illness (2019).
• Ticks citizen-submitted (2021-2022).

Descriptive Analysis: CO Poisoning Hospitalizations

The MiTracking graph below shows the number of CO Poisoning hospitalizations in Michigan by year from 2016 through 2019. Overall, the total number of CO poisoning hospitalizations have increased from 2016-2019. Non-fire related CO Poisoning hospitalizations represent the largest cause, though all three CO poisoning causes (i.e. fire, non-fire, and unknown) have increased during that time period. The "causes" option is found in an advanced search.

 

MiTracking query link: https://mitracking.state.mi.us/?bookmark=308

CO Information and Prevention

CO is a gas that forms whenever fuel is burned. You cannot see, taste or smell carbon monoxide, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. Known as the "invisible killer," CO is dangerous because it blocks your body from taking in the oxygen it needs. CO poisoning can happen suddenly or over a long period of time. CO can cause serious illness or death in just minutes. 

CO poisoning is preventable! Most CO poisonings take place at home and are caused by items that are not properly installed, cared for, or vented, like furnaces, water heaters, generators, gas grills, dryers, lanterns, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and gas stoves. Make sure to install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas.

Climate change is leading to more extreme weather (e.g. heavy rainfall that leads to flooding and power outages). During and after those types of events, hospitalizations for CO poisonings tend to increase from improper use of tools like generators, heaters and power washers. 

CO poisoning resources:

• MDHHS Carbon Monoxide
• Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program (MICHAP)
• MiTracking Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

Communications Corner

CDC National Tracking Midwest Promotion Outreach and Marketing (PMO) Group Project: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Awareness

Michigan collaborated on a CO poisoning awareness group project with the other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Tracking Midwest grantees (Marion County, IN, Iowa , Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin). The Midwest group created three short videos with key CO messaging. The videos were posted to the MDHHS Facebook page this November. Make sure to follow MichiganHHS for more health messages like these!

 

 

 

 

Announcements

CO Press Release

MDHHS released their annual CO poisoning awareness press release on November 2, 2023. MDHHS urges Michigan residents to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing CO detectors and making sure fuel burning appliances are properly working when turning back the clocks for the end of daylight saving time.

Virtual Presentations

MiTracking is a great online resource covering a range of environmental health topics. We offer VIRTUAL presentations and trainings on how to use the data portal. If you are interested in a FREE training, email us at MDHHS-MiTracking@michigan.gov. To learn more about MiTracking, check out the MiTracking Brochure.