Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most toxic substance you’ll come into contact with in your daily life — in your home, at work, in your garage, car and boat.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.

What Are the Major Sources of CO?

Carbon monoxide is produced as a result of incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels including coal, wood, charcoal, natural gas, propane, and fuel oil. It can be emitted by combustion sources such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; wood stoves and fireplaces; gas stoves, gas water heaters; automobile exhaust from attached garages; tobacco smoke; electrical generators, and other gasoline powered equipment. Problems can arise as a result of improper installation, maintenance, or inadequate ventilation.

What Are the Health Effects?

Carbon monoxide interferes with the distribution of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. Depending on the amount inhaled, this gas can impede coordination, worsen cardiovascular conditions, and produce fatigue, headache, weakness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, and dizziness. Very high levels can cause death.

The symptoms are sometimes confused with the flu or food poisoning. Fetuses, infants, elderly, and people with heart and respiratory illnesses are particularly at high risk for the adverse health effects of carbon monoxide. An estimated 300 people die each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and thousands of others end up in hospital emergency rooms.

What Can Be Done to Prevent CO Poisoning?

• Ensure that appliances are properly adjusted and working
• Obtain annual inspections for heating system, chimneys, and flues
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters
• Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home
• Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle, or camper
• Make sure stoves and heaters are vented to the outside
• Never leave a car or lawn mower engine running in a any enclosed space
• Make sure your furnace has adequate intake of outside air

What If You Think You Have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

• Get fresh air immediately, open doors and windows, leave house
• Go to an emergency room
• Be prepared to answer the following questions: Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms? Did everyones symptoms appear about the same time? Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home? Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly?

What About Carbon Monoxide Detectors?

Every home should have a Carbon Monoxide Detector

• Make sure it is a CO detector and not a smoke alarm!
• Place the detector as near as practical to gas stoves, fireplaces, etc. or in the floor area
• Test the detector regularly and know the sound of its alarm
• It may be a good idea to have two or more detectors placed strategically throughout your home

Resources:

Indoor Air Quality: Carbon Monoxide

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