Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If you've ever taken a course in chemistry, you may have been presented with a textbook definition of carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO). It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning materials that contain carbon. It is the product of incomplete combustion.

When we grew as a nation during the Industrial Revolution, CO became more recognized and talked about in mainstream conversations - not just in science books. Its popularity grew as we began using combustion as a source of energy. When used properly, it is an ally. When left unchecked, it can be a deadly enemy. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that CO poisoning claims nearly 500 lives, and is responsible for more than 15,000 emergency room visits annually.

Where is CO found?

Carbon monoxide is produced by common household appliances. Examples include gas water heaters, kerosene space heaters, charcoal grills, propane heaters and stoves, gasoline and diesel powered generators, gasoline-powered concrete saws, motor vehicle exhaust, smoke from fires and engine fumes are all key players.

So how can something so good become so bad? CO poisoning can occur when these units are not properly ventilated. CO emitted by these appliances can build up and overflow into your home, taking you as a victim. Even though natural gas is carbon monoxide-free, domestic gas supplies can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if combustion products leak as a result of poorly maintained equipment or a damaged flue.

Accidental fires caused by cigarettes are also a prime culprit in CO poisonings, so always make sure to extinguish your cigarettes and candles before retiring to bed. And never let your child ride in the back of an enclosed pick-up truck - they are at particularly high risk of poisoning if you let them.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

CO poisoning is not an all or nothing illness. The ill effect of the gas can be cumulative, and a person can be poisoned by intermittent exposure throughout the day. Typical symptoms present in CO poisoning are:

• Headache (with or without nausea)
• Drowsiness and lethargy
• Breathlessness when exerting yourself in regular activities
• Vertigo
• Flu-like symptoms
• Chest pain
• Unclear thinking
• Ultimately coma, followed by death
  

In the 1800s, long before high-tech equipment was developed, canaries used to be placed in coal mines to determine if there was CO present. If the bird fell off of its perch, the workers had a clear indication of danger and would leave the mine. Thankfully, in this day and age there are more humane and far simpler techniques that you can employ in your home! Because it is invisible and odorless, the best way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to take preventive measures within your home that will keep CO out or at least alert you if you should ever have a leak.

Prevent CO Poisoning

As with many things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure. Start by getting in the habit of never blocking or sealing off appliance exhaust flues or ducts (as with water heaters, ranges, and clothes dryers) in your home. Arrange for a qualified technician to inspect your home heating system, chimney, and flue on a yearly basis. Make sure to keep your chimneys free and clear from any obstructions. Remove bird and squirrel nests, collected leaves, and residue to guarantee proper ventilation.

Have your furnace and other appliances, such as gas ovens, ranges, and cook tops inspected for adequate ventilation. Do not burn charcoal inside your house (even in the fireplace). Have gas fireplaces inspected each fall to make sure that your pilot light is burning safely. Never leave your car, mowers or other vehicles running in the garage, even with the door open. The risk for poisoning outweighs the comfort you may find in running your car with the door shut in order to stay warm.

Make sure to install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association approximately 93% of homes have smoke alarms, yet only 15% have carbon monoxide alarms. The monitor makes it easy to detect CO in your home. It beeps, much like a fire alarm if it detects any CO in the air.

Treating CO Poisoning

Detecting CO in humans is a little more tricky. Because signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not specific, a blood test is the best way to detect it.

Treatment involves removing the victim from a contaminated atmosphere into an uncontaminated one and administering 100% oxygen - usually through a facemask attached to an oxygen reserve bag. Oxygen speeds up recovery time, and there is increasing evidence that it reduces long-term neurological problems.

Paramedics may frequently check the CO levels in your blood until they are low enough to send you home safely. In cases of severe poisoning a hyperbaric pressure chamber may be used to administer higher doses of oxygen.

It is important to find the source of the carbon monoxide and get rid of it. Air Now can help you in more ways than one. We offer inspections by qualified technicians and also sell products that help you to detect it in the first place. Your first line of defense is prevention-and we are here to help.

 

AirNow, Inc.
190 Atlantic Ave.
Garden City Park, NY 11040
Phone: (516) 355-0032
Fax: (516) 248-4308