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CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) SAFETY
What everyone needs to know about
CO poisoning - the "silent killer"
Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet
What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
A colorless, odorless, tasteless,
non-irritating toxic gas
A combustion by-product formed by
incomplete combustion of carbon based fuel such as oil, propane, natural gas and wood.
Doesn't stratify, can be located
high as well as low in a room (Slightly lighter than air).
Often referred to as the
"Silent Killer".
How is CO Produced?
Carbon monoxide is produced by the
incomplete combustion of fuels.
It occurs when there is not enough
oxygen mixed with fuel. This is commonly referred to as a "fuel rich mixture".
All fuel burning appliances have
the potential to produce CO in varying concentrations.
CO can result from improperly
vented or malfunctioning combustion appliances such as furnaces, stoves and hot water
heaters.
How does it affect the human body?
- After being inhaled, CO is absorbed into the
bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood cells forming Carboxyhemoglobin.
- Carboxyhemoglobin (a red blood cell carrying CO instead of oxygen)
reduces the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream and affects all major organs.
- Extended exposure to low or brief exposure to high levels of CO will lead
to unconsciousness or death.
- Tissue with the highest oxygen needs are most affected by CO including
the brain, heart and other large muscles.
- Early signs of CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness
of breath and confusion.
High risk groups for CO poisoning include:
- Infants/Children, Pregnant Women, People with
angina (Chest Pains), anyone who has Trouble Breathing, elderly people, individuals with
anemic conditions. Remember even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer.
What are Some of the Common Sources of CO in a
residence?
- Unvented cooking appliances and wood burning
fireplace
- Gas, oil, wood or coal furnace and block chimney
- Water heater
- Gas refrigerator
- Gas clothes dryer
- Attached garage
- Barbecue grill
- Pool/spa heaters
- Tobacco smoke
- Ceiling mounted unit heater
- Fuel burning space heaters
What are Some of the Visual Clues in CO
investigation?
How Do Ventilation Problems Increase the Hazard
of CO?
- Weather tight homes, and the increased use of
exhaust fans, can create a negative pressure within the home. This can cause CO to be
improperly vented.
- Weather tight homes may also have insufficient
fresh air to support complete combustion in fuel-operating appliances, thus producing CO.
- Negative pressure conditions and blocked exhaust
flues can result in combustion-type appliances spilling out toxic gases (including CO)
into the living areas.
- Negative pressure conditions in homes can result in
back drafting of combustion appliances.
- Bathroom and kitchen exhaust equipment can overtake
the normal venting process and back draft hazardous gases in the living environment.
- Outside wind and temperature conditions can
influence and even jeopardize the combustion appliance venting process.
This Information
is provided by the Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG)
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