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- What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
- What are Carbon Monoxide poisoning symptoms?
- How does Carbon Monoxide (CO) harm you
- What can YOU do if you suspect someone has been poisoned by CO
- How can I prevent CO poisoning from my home appliances
- The DOs and DON'Ts of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is a poisonous,
colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. You can't see or smell CO, but at high
levels it can even kill a person in minutes. Carbon Monoxide is produced
whenever any fuel such as gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned.
Carbon Monoxide is the result of incomplete burning of these fuels, with the
most common source being the internal combustion engine. If appliances
that burn fuel are maintained properly, the amount of CO produced is not
hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used
incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Each year, more than 500
Americans die from unintentional Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and more than 2,000
commit suicide by intentionally poisoning themselves with CO.
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness,
nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO ingestion
can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning
can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses, such as
the flu and food poisoning. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die
from CO poisoning before ever experiencing any symptoms.
So play it safe. If you
experience symptoms you think could be from CO poisoning you should:
- GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY:
Open all doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the
house.
- GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM: Tell
the physician you suspect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
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Red blood
cells which normally carry oxygen throughout the body pick up Carbon
Monoxide easier. If high levels of CO exist in the air you breath, it
can replace the oxygen that should be in your blood. Carbon Monoxide
blocks oxygen from the blood (see picture at left) which can cause damage to
tissues and could result in death. All people and
animals can be affected by Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Certain groups -
unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or
respiratory problems - are more susceptible to the effects. CO
poisoning may occur sooner in those who are more susceptible.
Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be reversed if caught soon
enough. But even after recovery, acute poisoning may result in permanent
damage to the parts of the body that require high levels of oxygen, such as the
heart and brain. Reproductive risks have also been linked to CO poisoning.
So play it safe. If you
experience symptoms you think could be from CO poisoning you should:
GET FRESH
AIR IMMEDIATELY: Open all doors and windows, turn off combustion
appliances and leave the house.
GO TO THE
EMERGENCY ROOM: Tell the physician you suspect Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning
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Remember, in any situation,
your own
safety is the most important consideration. You can not help someone else
if you get injured yourself.
When you suspect Carbon Monoxide
poisoning, promptly take the following actions.
- Move the victim to fresh air
in an open area.
- Call 911 or another local
emergency number for medical attention.
- If available, administer 100%
oxygen using a tight-fitting mask if the victim is breathing.
- If the victim is not
breathing, proceed with rescue breathing or CPR if necessary.
WARNING: you may be
exposed to fatal levels of Carbon Monoxide during a rescue attempt.
Rescuers should be skilled at performing recovery operations and using recovery
equipment. Fire fighters and/or medical personnel should be called before
any rescue attempt is made.
- Have your heating system,
water heater, and ANY OTHER gas, oil, or coal burning appliance serviced by a
qualified technician every year.
- DO NOT use portable flameless
chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters do not have
a flame, they burn gas and can cause Carbon Monoxide to build up in your home,
cabin, camper, or any other enclosed space.
- Have any odors from your gas
refrigerator's cooling unit checked and serviced by a qualified technician.
An odor from a refrigerator's cooling unit could mean it is defective and
could be giving off Carbon Monoxide.
- When purchasing gas equipment,
only buy products carrying of a national testing agency, such as, the American
Gas Association or Underwriters' Laboratories.
- Install a battery operated
Carbon Monoxide detector in your home and regularly test the unit and check
the batteries at least twice a year
- DO have your fuel burning
appliances inspected and, if needed, serviced by a trained professional at the
beginning of every heating season. Make sure that all flues, vents and
chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked in any way.
- DO choose appliances that vent
their fumes to the outside whenever possible. Have them installed and
maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- DO read and follow ALL
instructions and cautions that come with your fuel burning device. Be
sure to use the proper fuel for all devices.
- DO call the EPA's IAQ Info
Clearinghouse (1-800-438-4318) or the Consumer Products Safety Commission
(1-800-638-2772) for more information on how to reduce your risks from Carbon
Monoxide and other combustible gasses and particles.
- DON'T idle any vehicle in a
garage, even if a door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very
quickly in a garage and even the living area of your home if your garage is
attached to your house.
- DON'T use a gas oven/range to
heat your home, even for a short time.
- DON'T ever use a
charcoal grill indoors - even in a fireplace.
- DON'T sleep in any room with
an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
- DON'T use any gasoline powered
engine, such as mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small
engines, or generators in an enclosed area.
- DON'T ignore symptoms,
especially if more than one person is feeling them. (see What are CO poisoning
symptoms above)
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