3
CARBON MONOXIDE
AND HOW IT CAN
AFFECT YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that
kills hundreds of people each year and injures
many more. It is often referred to as the silent
killer, it has no odour or taste and cannot
be seen. Like oxygen, CO enters the body
through the lungs during the normal breathing
process. It competes with oxygen by replacing
it in the red blood cells, thereby reducing the
flow of oxygen to the heart, brain and other
vital organs. In high concentrations, CO can
kill in minutes.
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide
poisoning indicate that while victims are
aware they are not feeling well, they
become disorientated and unable to save
themselves by either exiting the building or
calling for assistance. Exposure during sleep
is particularly dangerous because the victim
usually does not wake up.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
The following symptoms may be related to
CO poisoning which all household members
should be made aware of:
•
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, cardiorespiratory failure,
death
Your Zeta CO detector monitors the level
of CO as parts per million (ppm) in the
atmosphere surrounding the detector.
35ppm
The maximum allowable
concentration for continuous
exposure for healthy adults in any
8 hour period, as recommended
by the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA).
200ppm
Slight headache, fatigue,
dizziness, nausea after 2 - 3
hours.
400ppm
Frontal headaches within 1 - 2
hours, life threatening after 3
hours.
800ppm
Dizziness, nausea and
convulsions within 45 minutes.
Unconsciousness within 2 hours.
Death within 2 - 3 hours.
Should you suspect CO may be affecting you
or your family, open the doors and windows
of your property to ventilate, turn off your
appliances and evacuate the premises. At
this time the authorities should be contacted
