Las Cruces, NM – High levels of carbon monoxide prompted the all-day closure Friday of the Munson Center for seniors.
The situation was discovered prior to its 8 a.m. opening. City officials sent a team of HVAC technicians to identify the source of the problem, officials said.
The elderly are among categories of people who are especially susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Munson Center was closed throughout the day interrupting the routine of a number of seniors who visit daily for lunch and activities like yoga classes and shooting pool.
Las Crucen Rudy Ortega, who often takes his 70-year-old mother-in-law to the center, said she and other seniors rely on the facility for meals, activities and, more importantly, camaraderie. When that’s missing, “it’s devastating to them,” he said.
“My mother-in-law came by, and she was all upset it was closed down,” said Ortega, who was at the center Friday.
Senior residents who have vehicles were routed to the two other Las Cruces-run senior centers for meals: Frank O’Brien Papen Center, 304. W. Bell Ave., in Mesilla Park and Henry Benavidez Senior Center, 1045 McClure Road.
People who rely on the city’s Dial-a-Ride to get to the center were taken instead to the Eastside Center, 310 N. Tornillo St., according to the city.
Ortega said though some seniors who went to another center for lunch, they likely felt out of place.
“They’ll go if they really want to eat, but they’ll feel out of their comfort zone,” he said. “It did affect the seniors.”
Other than to say technicians reviewed gas lines and pilot lights to find the source of the carbon monoxide, acting senior programs administrator Sally Schutte declined to comment about the situation.
A Las Cruces Fire Department spokesman said that agency had little involvement in the response, other than to offer some consultation.
The senior center’s parking lot was blocked off with orange cones throughout the day. A sign was posted on the door to the facility notifying would-be patrons about the carbon monoxide levels.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can sicken people and cause death, according to the CDC. It results from improper combustion and is dangerous because it disrupts the use of oxygen by a person’s body.
Symptoms of “CO” poisoning range from shortness of breath to headaches to chest pain to irritability, among others, according to the CDC.
City officials said a much-beloved, weekly senior dance will happen, as previously planned, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. But otherwise the facility won’t re-open for regular services until 8 a.m. Monday, according to the notice on the door.
Sources of CO poisoning
Gas-powered generators
Charcoal grills, propane stoves, and charcoal briquettes for both cooking and heating indoors
Motor vehicles
Fire
Boats
Power washers and other gas powered tools.
At-risk populations include:
Babies and infants
The elderly
People with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory illness.