Pubdate: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Abbotsford News Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Rochelle Baker YOUNG CHILDREN FOUND INSIDE DANGEROUS GROW-OP Three young children were found in an Abbotsford home with dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide after a marijuana grow operation was raided on Tuesday evening. The children - all under the age of 12 - were placed under the care of other family members by the Ministry Children and Family development. Some drug squad officers searching the house in the 3200 block of Firhill Drive got dizzy, and became concerned over possible high carbon monoxide levels. The fire department attended and found carbon monoxide levels above 300 parts per million (ppm) in the basement where the grow-op was housed, said Lieut. Michelle Jackson of Abbotsford Fire Rescue. The consequences could have been life-threatening, Jackson said. People can experience a severe headache, a sense of dizziness and nausea, or pass out within three to four hours at readings of between 300 and 400 ppm. "[It's] a critical point because people may get dizzy and fatigued," she said. "Confusion sets in and people don't have the mental clarity to take action to save themselves. We find people lying on the floor or couch hours later because they were overcome." A child exposed to carbon monoxide levels similar to those at the home in which the kids were discovered Tuesday might complain of headaches or tummy aches. "Children could be experiencing flu like symptoms that would show up sooner than they would in an healthy adult." Upon inspection, fire investigators discovered the home's furnace was altered so it was venting inside the home, rather than outside, raising the carbon monoxide levels dangerously high. A man and woman were arrested, and are facing charges of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. Jackson advised all residents to install carbon monoxide detectors. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek