Overview

• A 37-year-old man in Iserlohn died of carbon monoxide poisoning when a portable air conditioner created underpressure that drew exhaust from his gas boiler back into his apartment.
• Multiple other residents were treated for CO exposure in the same incident, highlighting the hidden dangers of extraction-type cooling devices in homes with combustion appliances.
• The Deutscher Feuerwehrverband cautions that underpressure hazards are common not only with mobile air conditioners but also with extractor hoods and other vented appliances.
• Authorities recommend installing EN 50291-certified carbon monoxide detectors, arranging annual gas boiler servicing and ensuring continuous fresh-air supply when using portable cooling units.
• Germany’s recent heatwave has driven a sharp rise in mobile AC sales, prompting consumers to balance urgent cooling needs against potential health risks and subsidy limits.