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A1. INFORMATION ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas.
HOW IS CO GENERATED IN THE HOME?
Carbon monoxide is generated through incomplete combustion of fuel in various
home appliances. Faulty ventilation of furnaces, water heaters, fire places, wood burning
stoves, and space heaters are the major of cause of high CO levels in the home.
Automobile and small engine exhaust are another source of CO.
HOW DOES CO POISON PEOPLE?
The human body depends on oxygen for the burning of fuel (food) to provide us with
the energy that allows our cells to live and function. Oxygen makes up approximately 21%
of the atmosphere and enters our lungs when we breathe. In our lungs the oxygen
combines with the hemoglobin in the blood (oxyhemoglobin) and is carried in the blood
stream throughout the body where it releases oxygen to the cells.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it bonds more tightly to the hemoglobin
(carboxyhemoglobin) than oxygen does. When CO combines with hemoglobin, the
hemoglobin's ability to combine with oxygen is lost. As the carboxyhemoglobin
concentration rises, people become nauseous, unconscious and ultimately die (see
below).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING?
Many people often confuse carbon monoxide poisoning with the flu; the initial
symptoms being very similar. Different concentrations of CO over various lengths of time
cause different symptoms.
Many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning indicate that while the victims were aware
that they were not well, they were too disoriented to save themselves by either calling for
assistance or exiting the building. Also, due to size, small children and pets are generally
the first affected.
The following are the symptoms related to
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
Discuss them with all members of the household.
MILD EXPOSURE:
Slight headache, vomiting, nausea, fatigue (flu like
symptoms).
MEDIUM EXPOSURE:
Severe throbbing headache, Drowsiness, Confusion,
Fast heart rate.
EXTREME EXPOSURE:
Unconsciousness, Convulsions, Heart and Lung Failure,
Brain Damage, Death
