B15584-R0-225EN&220EN-U&C 6/9/07 8:13 AM Page 7
Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as
Medium Exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardiorespiratory failure, death. A high level of CO for a short period (e.g. 350 ppm CO for 30 minutes) will cause the same symptoms, a slight headache, as a lower level for a longer time (e.g. 150 ppm for 90 minutes). Table A shows how exposure to different concentrations of CO generally affects people.
Many cases of reported Carbon Monoxide poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disorientated they are unable to save themselves by either leaving the building or calling for assistance. Young children and household pets may be the first affected.
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