Carbon monoxide levels in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee dorm where a gas leak sent 17 people to the hospital hit dangerously high levels, a police report obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shows.
The Milwaukee Fire Department registered readings in excess of 190 parts per million upon arriving at the Cambridge Commons dorm after arriving on scene at about 10:20 p.m. on Feb. 28.
At the boiler believed to be the source of the leak, We Energies reported to UWM police that carbon monoxide levels were in excess of 2,000 parts per million. The boiler was located in the north end of the basement of the building.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that results from the incomplete burning of various fuels and can cause significant health issues including death when inhaled in high concentrations for long periods of time.