Portable home generators are often used during prolonged power outages, especially due to extreme weather occurrences. A study simulating carbon monoxide (C0) levels in detached and manufactured housing commissioned by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reveals that a generator that operates for 18 hours in a house or garage will emit dangerous levels of CO. Testing 87 different houses, the researchers used different layouts and sizes, with generators in a first floor interior room, the basement and attached garage, and took into account airtightness levels in the home as well as weather conditions, and wind direction and speed. Heightened hazard warnings has not successfully deterred people from using them, but generators modified to limit CO emissions with a shut-off feature or other technology can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death from CO poisoning. As safetyreserach.net informs MHProNews, CPSC has recommended to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) that requirements be set for the use of indoor generators, as well as for protecting consumers from electrical shock when used outdoors during wet conditions.
