What is carbon monoxide?
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/44469/
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is toxic.
Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, carbon monoxide can kill before the victim is aware of the danger.
At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
At low concentrations, CO causes fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, CO causes impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea.
CO can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home.
At moderate concentrations, CO causes angina, impaired vision and reduced brain function.
At high concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal if the exposure is long enough.
Sources of CO include the following:
• Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters;
• Leaking chimneys and furnaces;
• Backdrafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces;
• Gas stoves;
• Generators and other gasoline-powered equipment;
• Automobile exhaust from attached garages; and
• Tobacco smoke.
Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e. g., boilers or furnaces ) can be significant sources, as can flues that are improperly sized, blocked, disconnected or leaking. Vehicle exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads or parking areas can also be a source of CO.
Source: http: // www. epa. gov / iaq / co. html Steps to reduce exposure to carbon monoxide
• Be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted.
• Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs.
• Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use 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.
• Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet Environmental Protection Agency emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune up central heating systems — including furnaces, flues and chimneys — annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle a car inside a garage.
Source: http: // www. epa. gov / iaq / co. html