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What is carbon monoxide? -

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that can kill you. It does this by displacing oxygen in the blood and depriving the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen.

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Potential killer -

Breathing in carbon monoxide can make you unwell, and it can be deadly if you're exposed to high levels of the gas.

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Symptoms of CO poisoning -

The longer CO gas is breathed in and the higher its concentration, the worse the symptoms become. These include loss of balance, diminished vision, and loss of memory.

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Common symptoms -

Other common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and disorientation.

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What does CO do to blood? -

After CO is breathed in, it enters the bloodstream and mixes with haemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body) to form carboxyhaemoglobin.

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No oxygen -

When this occurs, the blood is no longer capable of carrying oxygen. This lack of oxygen causes the body's cells and tissue to fail and die.

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Unconsciousness -

Subsequently, the body is no longer able to sustain any function. At this stage you pass out. Without quick intervention, death is inevitable.

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How is CO poisoning diagnosed? -

Mild CO symptoms are often described as "flu-like." In fact, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are not always obvious, particularly during low-level exposure. One thing to note, however, is that CO poisoning does not cause a high temperature.

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Silent killer -

People who are sleeping or drunk can succumb to CO poisoning before they have symptoms.

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CO poisoning can mimic other symptoms -

Inhalation of CO can also induce classic food-poisoning symptoms.

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Those most susceptible -

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person. CO poisoning may occur sooner in those most susceptible: young children, the elderly, and those with underlying lung or heart disease.

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Smokers -

Those who already have elevated CO blood levels, such as smokers, are also more susceptible to CO poisoning.

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Delay in diagnosis -

Symptoms can gradually get worse with prolonged exposure to CO. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis.

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Risk to those pregnant -

If you're pregnant, beware! CO poisoning poses a particular risk to fetuses. Significant reproductive risk is also linked to prolonged exposure to CO.

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High-level risk -

The most severe symptoms of CO poisoning tend to manifest within two hours if there's a lot of carbon monoxide in the air. However, in cases where there are very high levels of carbon monoxide, death may occur within minutes.

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Risk of permanent damage -

CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body that require a lot of oxygen, such as the heart and brain.

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Alarming numbers -

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional CO poisoning in the United States not linked to fires is responsible for more than 50,000 emergency department visits, resulting in more than 400 deaths. And the risks for CO poisoning increase in winter.

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How is CO produced? -

But carbon monoxide is a potential all-season killer. So, what causes CO gas to form, and how does it leak? Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, heating oil, paraffin, petrol, natural gas, propane, butane, etc. 

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CO v CO2 -

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the normal by-product of combustion, but if there is not enough oxygen present carbon monoxide is formed instead of CO2.

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Source materials -

Gas, oil, coal, and wood are sources of fuel used in many household appliances. These include boilers, cookers, central heating systems, and water heaters (pictured).

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Causes -

A dangerous level of CO can accumulate if an appliance is faulty or badly maintained, if a flue is blocked, or if a room is inadequately ventilated.

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Poor maintenance, poor ventilation -

In fact, incorrectly installed, poorly maintained, or poorly ventilated household appliances are the most common causes of accidental exposure to carbon monoxide.

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Other dangers -

Other dangers associated with CO poisoning include running a car engine inside a garage, faulty or blocked exhausts (a common problem in winter), and blocked flues and chimneys.

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Industrial environment -

Industrial environments are hazardous at the best of times. You may be exposed to harmful levels of CO in boiler rooms, warehouses, petroleum refineries, pulp and paper production, and steel production facilities, for example. Those at particular risk include welders, diesel engine operators, and marine terminal workers. Strict health and safety regulations should always be in place to minimize the risk of CO poisoning in the workplace. But what can you do to protect yourself in a domestic environment?

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Minimize the risk -

Ensure each fossil fuel burning appliance is serviced regularly. Ideally, a CO detector should be installed in every room featuring a solid fuel burning appliance, and where occupants spend most of their time.

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Purchase a CO detector -

Once you've installed a CO detector, check and regularly replace the battery so the unit is always functioning at its optimum level. Replace your CO detector every five years.

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Digital readout -

Choose a detector with a digital readout. This type of unit can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home in addition to alarming. And always place a unit where it will wake you up if it alarms, such as outside your bedroom.

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Treating CO poisoning -

When you suspect CO poisoning, taking prompt action can save lives. Move the victim immediately to fresh air in an open area. Alternatively, ventilate an enclosed space by opening all windows.

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Seek medical advice -

Seek medical advice from your physician if you think you have been exposed to low levels of CO.

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Emergency oxygen therapy -

If you believe you've been exposed to high levels of CO, don't waste time. Go immediately to the nearest hospital's emergency room. You may require oxygen therapy where you'll be given 100% oxygen through a tight-fitting mask (normal air contains around 21% oxygen).

Sources: (OSHA) (CDC) (NHS) (University of Utah Health) (Honeywell)

See also: Why do we sometimes lose our sense of taste and smell?

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