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CHAPTER 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF CO ALARM
1. What is Carbon Monoxide?
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 limited, more CO is
produced. Serious problems can develop when
combustion by-products are not properly vented outside
the house.
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 accumulates
in your blood stream, your body becomes starved for
oxygen. Breathing very high concentrations of carbon
monoxide can be lethal in minutes. Breathing low
concentrations over time is dangerous, too.
