Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is produced by devices that burn solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. It is the result of incomplete combustion (carbon in fuels is not completely burned). You cannot see it, taste it or smell it, but carbon monoxide can cause severe illness and even death. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless toxic gas and CO poisoning is a real danger which can affect any person or animal. Carbon monoxide fumes can build up to hazardous levels in closed or semi-enclosed spaces leading to serious effects on your health and well-being before you even realize the fumes are present.


Where does carbon monoxide come from?
Appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, or wood may produce CO. Common sources of carbon monoxide include:

  • Room heathers - Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters
  • Wood stoves, fireplaces, chimneys
  • Furnaces
  • Gas water heaters
  • Gas stoves
  • Lanterns
  • Charcoal grills
  • Portable generators and gasoline-powered equipment/small gasoline engines
  • Cars and trucks - Vehicle exhaust in an enclosed space, such as in attached garages
  • Tobacco smoke
  • Electrical heaters, electric water heaters and electric appliances such as toasters do not produce carbon monoxide.

How much is too much? Appropriate levels in homes
When appliances are kept in good working order and used properly they produce very little CO. Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted gas stoves may be 30 ppm or higher. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that airborne levels of CO not exceed a 35 ppm average over a 10-hour period with a limit of 200 ppm not to be exceeded at any time in order to prevent health effects.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that the health effects of CO concentrations from 1 to 70 ppm are uncertain but that most (otherwise healthy) people will not experience any symptoms at these low levels. However, some groups may be more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide at lower levels, such as infants, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, and lung problems.

Know the symptoms of CO poisoning
Carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reduces normal oxygen delivery to the body’s organs and tissues. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm symptoms become more noticeable. The most common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble flu-like symptoms (without fever):

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness/fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Confusion/disorientation

Effects can vary greatly depending on length of exposure, age, and overall health of the person. Symptoms experienced with low levels of CO exposure typically clear after leaving the area and gaining access to well-ventilated fresh air. Anyone who has experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should seek immediate medical attention for evaluation and treatment.

High levels of exposure can cause more serious symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Impaired vision and coordination
  • Delirium
  • Severe headache
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness and death can result from prolonged exposure to high levels (above 150 to 200 ppm) of carbon monoxide.

Safety & Prevention - Reduce exposure:
Knowledge is the key to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. In most cases of CO poisoning, the affected persons did not realize that carbon monoxide was being produced or building up in the air they were breathing. Practice prevention and safety using the following tips to help reduce your exposure to CO:

  • Properly install, maintain and operate all fuel-burning (combustion) appliances and equipment.
  • Have chimneys and furnaces inspected each year by a trained professional to avoid potential problems such as an improperly sized flues, blockage, and disconnection or leaking.
  • Keep gas appliances properly adjusted in well-working order. Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems, water heaters and gas dryers each year. Repair any leaks right away.
  • Never use a gas range or oven to heat the home.
  • Use unvented fuel-burning space heaters only while someone is awake to monitor them and have a door or window in the room open to provide fresh air. Consider replacing unvented space heaters with vented models.
  • Use the proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
  • Install and use an exhaust fan vented to the outdoors over gas stoves.
  • Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
  • Select properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA (environmental protection agency) emission standards. The doors on all wood stoves should fit tightly.
  • Do not idle the car inside the garage. Routinely have your car exhaust system inspected for defects. During winter months check to make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow blockage.
  • Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping heaters/stove inside a home, tent or camper.

In addition to prevention and reducing your exposure to CO, the next best defense is a carbon monoxide alarm. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector. Toxic levels of CO in the air can easily be detected in the home with the use of a carbon monoxide alarm. Several relatively inexpensive carbon monoxide alarms are available to choose from. Different brands of detectors are designed with different options and features. Some are made to sound an alarm at persistent, low levels of CO while others will sound an alarm only at high, life-threatening levels. CO detectors are best placed in sleeping portions of the house, outside of individual bedrooms, in order to alert any sleeping occupants. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on installation, use and maintenance of the detector.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real danger, but it is preventable. You can take action today to reduce the risk of serious illness or injury caused by the toxic effects of CO gas.

References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Indoor Air Quality: Sources of Indoor Air Pollution – Carbon Monoxide (CO)
October 25, 2005 http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Center for Environmental Health – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fact Sheet
September 29, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
Carbon Monoxide – The Silent, Cold Weather Killer
November 9, 2005 http://www.aiha.org/Content/AccessInfo/consumer/carbonmonoxide.htm

Submitted by: Julie Sommers, RN
Reviewed by: Melissa Munzo, M.D., Medical Director

Disclaimer: The above information is provided to you for general education purposes only. This should never be a substitute for medical advice from your qualified health care provider.

Copyright 2006. UMR.

No part of this document may be reproduced without permission

 

 

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