Part Two – Carbon Monoxide-The Silent Killer
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas created when any fuel is burned – gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, coal, and even tobacco. When combustion air is lim- ited, more CO is produced. Serious problems can develop when combustion
You’ve probably heard about carbon monoxide poisoning in the news recently. It’s a problem receiving more attention because groups like the American Lung Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have made it a priority to warn the public about the dangers of this deadly household poison.
What are the Effects of CO Exposure?
When you breathe carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream through your lungs and attaches to red blood cells. These red blood cells, called hemoglobin, carry oxygen throughout your body. Carbon monoxide molecules attach to the red blood cells 200 times faster than oxygen, preventing the flow of oxygen to your heart, brain and vital organs. As carbon monoxide accumu- lates in your bloodstream, your body becomes starved for oxy- gen. The amount of carbon monoxide in a person’s body can be measured by a simple blood test, called a “carboxyhemoglobin level” test .
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu – headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion.
Breathing very high concentrations of carbon monoxide can be lethal in minutes. Breathing low concentrations over time is dan- gerous, too. Long term exposure to low levels could cause per- manent heart and brain damage.
Could Your Family be at Risk for CO Poisoning? Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, at least 10,000 Americans are affected by CO poisoning each year.
While anyone is susceptible, experts agree that unborn babies, small children, senior citizens and people with heart or respira- tory problems are especially vulnerable to CO and are at the greatest risk for death or serious injury.
Where Does CO Come From?
Inside your home, appliances used for heating and cooking are the most likely sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles running in attached garages can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
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When these appliances are in good working condition with proper ventilation, lethal carbon monoxide gas is vented out- doors where it quickly disperses. But even the slightest malfunc- tion or misuse of any of these sources can lead to a
And you don’t have to have ancient appliances to have a prob- lem. Today’s more
What Can You do to Protect Your Family?
To be safe, know the possible sources of CO in your home. Keep
Your first line of defense is an annual inspection and regular maintenance of your appliances. Contact a licensed contractor or call your local utility company for assistance.
But remember, problems can begin after an inspection is over, like a crack in a furnace heat exchanger, or a leak in a water heater vent or a bird’s nest blocking a flue. Other sources are nearly impossible to detect: even a change in the air pressure outside can turn a normally safe situation deadly. That’s why you need the