The recent deaths of six individuals from carbon monoxide poisoning is a tragic reminder of the potential lifesaving capabilities of carbon monoxide detectors. In the wake of that tragic accident that took the lives of six individuals earlier this past month in Nassau County, including the life of a 2-year-old girl, I am recommending that the Nassau County Board of Health add a new article to the Nassau County Public Health Ordinance, requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in newly-constructed homes and in all hotels and motels.

I am recommending that the Nassau County Board of Health amend the law to require that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all newly-constructed one-family, two-family and multiple dwellings and in all new and existing motels and hotels. The detectors would be directly connected to the electrical system of the dwelling in order to avoid tampering and in order to avoid the necessity of replacing batteries, I am further recommending that these detectors be located at every level of the building in which a sleeping quarter is located.

I have directed the health department to act immediately. Each year, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning causes thousands of deaths in the United States, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, non-irritating, tasteless and slightly lighter than air. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic the symptoms of other illnesses and are difficult to detect. Common sources of carbon monoxide poisoning exist in gas or wood-burning fireplaces, gas ranges or cooktops. Other sources of carbon monoxide include gas clothes dryers, portable heaters often used in homes, automobile exhaust fumes from an attached garage, barbecue grills used in an enclosed area, a leaking chimney pipe or flue, or a blocked chimney opening.

According to an ongoing investigation by Nassau County's Homicide Squad into the May 7 accident in Roslyn Heights, a clogged central air-conditioning filter forced the air-conditioning unit's fan to pull the carbon monoxide exhaust from the chimney used to vent a nearby heating system. The central air-conditioning unit then circulated the carbon monoxide throughout the home. Both the heating system and the air-conditioning unit were operating simultaneously, according to police.

Common symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure may include drowsiness, headache, tight chest, nausea, lethargy and, as exposure increases, the person may become uncoordinated, weak and confused. Reddening of the skin may occur and convulsions and death may follow.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know has been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning should do the following.

* Have everyone leave the building right away. Leave doors open as you go.

* Use a neighbor's telephone to report the carbon monoxide alarm to your fire department.

* Get immediate medical attention.

While the Nassau County Board of Health functions independently of county government, I trust that the board will act expeditiously in order to protect the health of our residents and prevent future tragedies.