A series of suspected gas poisoning accidents occurred in Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province.

According to the Daejeon and South Chungcheong fire headquarters, a report was received at around 12:15 p.m. yesterday that 10 people complained of dizziness after finishing a service at a church in Seo-gu, Daejeon.

Among them, an 8-year-old child was taken to a hospital and received treatment.

When dispatched firefighters measured the carbon monoxide concentration inside the sanctuary, it was found to be over 300 ppm.

The permissible limit is 30 to 50 ppm, and exceeding 200 ppm is known to cause headaches and dizziness.

Fire authorities are investigating the possibility that carbon monoxide leaked from the heating and cooling unit inside the sanctuary.

Around the same time, three people cleaning the kitchen at a catering company in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, experienced dizziness and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Among them, one showed symptoms of decreased consciousness and was classified as seriously injured, while the other two were classified with minor injuries.

Fire authorities presume that they inhaled toxic gas while mixing detergents to clean the kitchen.

The dishwashing detergent used at the time reportedly rapidly vaporized and generated heat when reacting with hot water, causing strong irritation to the respiratory tract.

(Photo: Yonhap News)