Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning has many symptoms. However, some symptoms are very similar to flu-like symptoms, the effects of intoxication, or drug usage. In many CO cases, people feel ill and stay home to rest. This only compounds the

CO poisoning because they stay in the home where CO is present.

As CO levels rise, the symptoms become more extreme. At low levels people will suffer headaches and mild nausea. At higher levels unconsciousness, heart failure, and even death can occur.

The following symptoms are related to CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING and should be discussed with ALL members of the household.

Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (often described as “flu- like” symptoms).

Medium Exposure: Severe throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.

Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio-respiratory failure, death.

Many cases of reported CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING indicate that while victims are aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Also, young children, the elderly, and household pets may be the first affected by CO poisoning.

The important factor with any CO poisoning, however, is time. At high levels, CO can cause death in just minutes. At lower levels, it could take from hours to days of constant CO exposure to have the same life-threatening effect.

The chart below illustrates the symptoms of CO poisoning by concentration of CO and its effect over time.

Slight headache within 2-3 hours.

Frontal headache within 1-2 hours.

Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes.

Insensible within 2 hours.

Headache,dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes.

Death within 2 hours.

Headache,dizziness and nausea within 5-10 minutes.

Death within 30 minutes.

Headache,dizziness 1-2 minutes.

Death in less than 15 minutes.

D e a t h i n l e s s t h a n 3 m i n u t e s .

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200

Concentration of CO in air (ppm)

Conditions That Can Cause CO Levels To Change

The following conditions can result in transient CO situations in the home:

1)Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning appliances caused by out- door ambient conditions, such as:

i)Wind direction and/or velocity, including high gusts of wind. Heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles).

ii)Negative pressure differential resulting from the use of exhaust fans.

iii)Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances competing for limited internal air.

iv)Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryer, furnaces, or water heaters.

v)Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations.

2)Extended operation of unvented fuel-burning devices (range, oven, fireplace, etc.).

3)Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near the ground.

4)Car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home.

Home Safety Tips

Many CO poisonings are caused by equipment failures due to poor maintenance, product defects, and damaged parts. The following is a list of safety tips to help prevent CO poisoning within your home:

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