One million carbon monoxide alarms are being recalled because the devices are faulty and can give inaccurate readings, the manufacturer and federal officials say.

The voluntary recall involves 650,000 Nighthawk alarms and 350,000 Lifesaver models made by Kidde Safety Co. Both alarms are sold across the United States and Canada. Lifesavers are also sold in the United Kingdom.

Packaging around the units sometimes distorts readings of carbon-monoxide levels, the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. There have been no reports of injuries involving the devices.

The CSPC probe was hastened by findings in recent studies that a surprisingly large number of faulty alarms are being sold to consumers.

The CSPC became increasingly concerned about the reliability of carbon monoxide detectors after a study was released last month by the Gas Research Institute, a private laboratory funded by the natural gas industry. The study found that 12 out of 80 carbon monoxide detectors (15 percent) were defective at the time they were purchased.

Colorless, odorless, tasteless and deadly, carbon monoxide gas is produced by the incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel. While it can kill at any time, the gas is most dangerous during fall and winter, when homes have less ventilation.

The gas can easily overwhelm victims without their knowing it, with initial symptoms including headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness.

Company officials detected the problem during field tests.

The Nighthawk units involved in the recall were manufactured between Nov. 8, 1998, and March 9, 1999, as listed on the back of each unit. ``NIGHTHAWK'' and ``Carbon Monoxide Alarm'' are on the front of the unit.

The Lifesaver units are models 9CO-1 and 9CO-1C, manufactured between June 1, 1997, and Jan. 31, 1998. The manufacturing date is on the back of the unit. ``LIFESAVER'' and ``Carbon Monoxide Detector'' appear on the front.

Consumers can participate in the recall by logging onto the company's Web site, www.kidde.com, or by calling the company. Models will be repaired.

An average of 560 deaths occur annually from carbon monoxide poisoning; at least 11,000 people a year seek treatment in hospital emergency rooms for carbon mon oxide poisoning. It was not determined how many of those are accidental versus how many were suicides or suicide attempts.

Published: March 22, 1999

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