At least 60 sickened by carbon monoxide at LDS church; some may suffer long-term

MURRAY, Utah (KUTV) — A carbon monoxide leak at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday sickened more people than was first thought, Intermountain Healthcare officials told 2News on Monday.

While initial estimates were that at least 13 people at the Provo meetinghouse were sickened or injured, 2News learned at least 60 people were treated by Intermountain staff.

Doctors now fear there may be long-term health consequences for some of the victims.

“Some of these people, unfortunately, will likely end up with life-long, or at least many-months-long problems," said Dr. Lindell Weaver of the Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. "We can’t predict who that’s going to be, that’s kind of a wait and see.”

Provo Fire Department crews responding to the LDS meetinghouse at 650 E. Stadium Ave. on Sunday morning found the building to be filled with carbon monoxide, fire officials told 2News.

The building was evacuated, and sickened church-goers were taken by ambulance, or drove themselves, to area hospitals to seek treatment.

Doctors said carbon monoxide actually leaves the body as soon as the victim has fresh air, but exposure to the gas triggers an immune response of inflammation, which the oxygen helps to calm.

Those with the worst cases of carbon monoxide poisoning — about two dozen people — were placed in a hyperbaric chamber, which is a sealed room with highly concentrated oxygen.

Long-term troubles stemming from carbon monoxide poisoning can include trouble with thinking, emotions, balance issued and persistent headaches — symptoms Weaver said are similar to a football player who's had a concussion.

“It’s not that much different than a person who took a hit to their head, or multiple hits to the head, and are left with various symptoms as a consequence of their brain injury," Weaver said.

2News learned the source of the carbon monoxide was a gas leak at the Church building.

Church spokeswoman Irene Caso made the following statement on the incident on the Church's behalf:

“We are working with local authorities to investigate the cause of this incident and are relieved that all members of the Pleasant View 1st Ward affected were checked and treated immediately. We continue to pray for their well-being.”

Weaver advised that members of the general public can take precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning by purchasing and installing a carbon monoxide alarm. He also advised that regular maintenance of heat sources like furnaces and boilers can prevent such leaks.