A gas water heater was suspected as the source of carbon monoxide that affected seven people Monday night at a Middle River housing community, according to Baltimore County authorities.
Emergency responders were called at 11:05 p.m. to the 700 block of Lannerton Road, in the Commons at White Marsh community, said county Emergency Medical Services director Kyrle Preis. Five people were taken to area hospitals for treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning, but none was in critical condition, he said.
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of combustion, and the highest levels of the gas were detected from a gas water heater in one unit, according to Preis.
In December, the Baltimore County Council passed a law requiring rental property owners to install carbon monoxide detectors in all units that have fuel-burning equipment. Preis said it was unclear whether the suspected unit had a detector.
Text BUSINESS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun Business text alerts