Mechanic explains risks of carbon monoxide after two Waco High students recover from carbon monoxide poisoning

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Two Waco High students have fully recovered after being poisoned with carbon monoxide Tuesday while sitting in a vehicle on campus, according to Waco ISD.

The district said the two were passed out in a truck in the parking lot, but thankfully other students saw them and reported it to the office.

Waco ISD said this happened because the truck was missing a tailpipe on the vehicle's muffler.

General Manager of Kish Complete Car Care Center, David DeRosier said older cars are more prone to carbon monoxide issues than newer ones.

"Cars are built much better now, and those issues aren't as common as they once were, but we still see it happen," said DeRosier.

Family physician, Dr. Tim Martindale said if someone inhales large amounts of carbon monoxide, they can pass out within 10 minutes.

"That's because nothing is getting the oxygen its needing to function correctly. So, if you have that feeling somehow, suddenly your body isn't functioning like it's supposed to, it's because you're not getting oxygen to the tissues to get anything to work," said Martindale.

Waco ISD said the truck's muffler was missing its tailpipe, DeRosier said that could have been a major factor as to how the students got sick.

"This is what we call the lead exhaust pipe. The engine is up there, exhaust is going through here, and this is the muffler. When you get here, this is the tailpipe. And the exhaust was exiting right here instead of going out the side like it should," said DeRosier.

DeRoiser said that without the tailpipe the fumes can become trapped under the car and not released away from it, and that the carbon monoxide can then travel through the fresh air vent into the car.

DeRoiser said he's worried because they say for certain cars, the tailpipe isn't required for the state's car inspection as long as the muffler exits beyond the cab.

He said despite the state's inspection requirements, it's important to have a tailpipe to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"I'm glad they're ok, they're very lucky. It should be a lesson to the public to make sure the tailpipes are on the vehicle, that they exhaust system is sealed up like it should be, and all the exhaust gases are exiting outside the vehicle," said DeRosier.

Dr. Martindale adds that find yourself smelling exhaust in your car, you're at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

He said it's best to get out and take a few deep breaths of fresh air to lower the risk.