The following is reported by the Jewish Telegraph UK: A Prestwich doctor has warned about exposure to toxic carbon monoxide because of ill-fitting "blechs" used on Shabbos.
A blech is used by Orthodox Jews to cover a stove-top. Usually, one or two of the burners beneath the blech are left on low - sufficient for warming food placed on top.
Now Dr Nathan Stein has called on the religious community to make sure they have a carbon monoxide meter fitted in their kitchens to detect high levels of the poisonous gas.
He said: "If you experience headaches, nausea, vomiting or flu-like fatigue recurrently, especially on Shabbos, it could be that your blech is causing CO poisoning if it is on a gas flame.
"Make sure you either get a smaller blech that does not block the air flow at the sides, or raise the blech on fireproof blocks so there is a wider gap all around for the air to get in."
When gas is burned, it produces carbon dioxide. But when it isn't completely burned it also releases the dangerous carbon monoxide.
The warning comes after Dr Stein began feeling unwell before Shabbos and, after checking his CO meter, found levels higher than they should be.
He said: "We had the gas on very low under the blech, on two gas rings.
"I noticed that the flame was nice and blue, but I also noticed that the gap between the edge of the blech and the edge of the cooker was quite narrow, approximately one centimetre to half an inch all around.
"I wondered if that might not be enough for the flame to get enough oxygen to burn fully."
He added: "CO toxicity varies from person to person, so a reading of 35 over a few hours could cause poisoning to the elderly or to very young children. Since this incident, we have been putting the blech on the hob crooked to leave large gaps on the edges for the air to feed the flame.
"As a result, the CO meter has remained at 0."
Other alternatives to using a blech could include an electric cooker or a hot plate.
It is also important to make sure the room is well ventilated as the burning gas uses up oxygen.
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=29654
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