2003 Blackout Caused At Least 90 More Deaths in New York City
Jan 31, 2012; 10:18 AM ET
A major electrical outage in 2003 -- when much of the northeastern United States and parts of Canada went dark for at least a day -- resulted in 90 more deaths in New York City than previously recorded, according to a new analysis.
The deaths were directly related to power failure, such as carbon monoxide poisoning from failed generators, and also to existing health conditions.
The blackout caused deaths for people who had cardiovascular, respiratory and other chronic health conditions, according to the study published in the journal Epidemiology.
To get the results, scientists collected data from weather reports and air pollution levels on Aug. 14 and 15, 2003, when New York City experienced the blackout. At the time, the city attributed four deaths to the event.
But the scientists say an additional 90 deaths were related to the event. Twelve of the deaths were due to accidents, 38 to cardiovascular conditions, three to respiratory problems and 37 to other conditions.
Epidemeologists said the blackout may have caused stress in people with existing heart conditions as well as problems managing diseases (Osamu Tsukimori, Reuters, Jan. 26). -- GV
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