China's Ministry of Health on Monday urged local governments to raise public awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning after at least 18 people were killed by the deadly gas this month.

A low air pressure weather and poor air circulation in people's homes poisoned 277 people and killed 15 in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, in northeast China's Jilin Province. In Hefei City of east China's Anhui Province, 88 people were poisoned and three of them died.

The low air pressure caused chimneys to back flow and the deadly exhaust from burning coal filled living areas with carbon monoxide, an odorless, deadly gas.

The victims included migrant workers and local residents.

The government announcement, jointly released by the health ministry and the State Administration of Work Safety, outlined comprehensive measures to prevent such accidents from happening again.

Local governments have been told to undertake a massive inspection of home heating systems to prevent further carbon monoxide poisoning, says the announcement.

The announcement requires townships, community residential committees and police forces to check the heating facilities and air circulation of houses, rural workers' dormitories, public places, as well as factories.

It notes that the living quarters of migrant workers in cities are a priority for the inspections. It also wants the living conditions of migrant workers to be improved to meet basic health and safety standards.

Local governments should also raise public awareness of the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning through a media campaign, says the announcement.

The announcement also calls for improved weather forecast to inform the public of abnormal climate conditions that might cause down drafts in chimneys.

(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)