LPG water heaters blamed for a dozen Bangalore deaths

The latest deaths occurred on December 27 and all occurred in poorly ventilated bathrooms using LPG geysers, forensic experts who have studied the cases said.

The deaths began being reported in November 2004, when a woman was found slumped in a bucket of water at an ayurvedic clinic. “The deaths have all occurred in bathrooms with little or no ventilation, and where gas geysers are the source of hot water,” said Dr P K Devdass, professor of forensic medicine at the Bangalore Medical College. He has conducted the autopsy in several of the above cases.

“Oxygen depletion in bathroom results in the production of carbon monoxide. Five minutes of inhalation of carbon monoxide will leave most people unconscious.’’

Said V G Nayak, a toxicologist at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Bangalore: “The first indication of possible carbon monoxide poisoning was the pinkish coloration of bodies, which is similar to cyanide poisoning.’’

Since exerts began identifying the cause of the deaths, several people have reported similar deaths in their neighbourhoods, where police cases of unnatural death have not been registered.

“We have recommended that the police refer any case of unnatural death in bathrooms for testing for carbon monoxide poisoning,’’ Dr Devadass said.

The gas geyser has gained popularity for its ability to reduce energy costs by over 70 per cent when compared to electric water-heaters, and for its reliability. The LPG water heaters have earned the generic name Chinese Geysers as most of them are sourced from China by local importers. “Between 70 and 90 per cent of the LPG geysers are imported in a knocked-down condition from China and sold under local brand names,” said N Sriram, general manager of Indus Appliances, a Bangalore-based gas geyser importing firm.

“But most geysers carry a prominent warning that it should be used in well-ventilated rooms,’’ he said.

Retailers of the Chinese geysers blame the indifference of consumers for the poisoning. “Though we recommend installation of the geyser and the LPG cylinder outside the bathroom, many people insist on having at least the geyser in the bathroom,’’ says Sriram.