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Carbon Monoxide |
| What is Carbon Monoxide and who is at risk? |
| Carbon monoxide (CO), is a colourless, odorless, deadly gas. Because you can’t see, taste, or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it is there. At lower levels of exposure, carbon monoxide causes health problems. Everyone is at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. Medical experts believe, however that some individuals are more vulnerable to poisoning such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems. |
Why is Carbon Monoxide so dangerous? |
| The great danger of carbon monoxide is its attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream, which normally carries life-giving oxygen to cells and tissues. As even small amounts are breathed in, carbon monoxide quickly bonds with hemoglobin in the blood, displacing the oxygen that organs need to function. When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates in the blood, forming a toxic compound known as carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Carboxyhemoglobin causes symptoms similar to the flu, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion and irritability. As levels of COHb increase, vomiting, loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death may result. |
Where does Carbon Monoxide come from? |
Carbon monoxide is a common by-product of combustion, present whenever fossil fuels are burned. It is produced by malfunctioning or inadequately vented home appliances such as gas or oil furnaces, clothes dryers, ranges, ovens, water heaters, space heaters, fireplaces, charcoal grills and wood burning stoves. Fumes from automobiles also contain high levels of CO that can enter a home through walls or doorways if a vehicle is left running in an attached garage. All of these sources can contribute to a CO problem in the home.
If a home is vented properly and is free from appliance malfunctions, air pressure fluctuations or venting and chimney blockages, carbon monoxide is usually vented safely to the outside. However, insulation meant to keep indoor air warm during the winter or cool in the summer can help trap CO polluted air in the home. Additionally, furnace heat exchangers can crack or vents and chimneys can become blocked. If there is an inadequate indoor fresh sir supply for combustion, airflow is flues and chimneys may reverse direction causing a down draft, which traps combustion gases in the home. |
How can I protect myself and family from Carbon Monoxide poisoning? |
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The Consumer Product Safety commission recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm near the sleeping areas. If a home has multiple floors, a detector on every level provides extra protection. Choose an Underwriters Laboratories Inc. listed detector. In addition to installing carbon monoxide detectors as a first line of defense, consumers should have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer. |
Checklist: Where to look for problem sources of Carbon Monoxide in the home. |
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An improperly installed or malfunctioning forced air furnace could be the source of CO and should be carefully inspected by a professional. |
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Check all venting systems to the outside, including flues and chimneys for cracks, corrosion, holes, debris or blockages. Animals and birds can build nests in chimneys, preventing gases from escaping. |
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Check any other appliances that use flammable fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood, propane, coal or kerosene. |
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Check the clothes dryer vent opening outside the house to be sure it is free of any blockage such as lint or debris.
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If initial testing does not confirm the presence of CO there may be several reasons why . . . |
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Testing equipment used to measure the presence of carbon monoxide in the air should be calibrated to monitor low levels of carbon monoxide. |
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After an alarm activates, if appliances are turned off and doors or windows are left open to bring in fresh air and ventilate the home, carbon monoxide levels will quickly dissipate. This creates lower readings than the level originally triggering the alarm. |
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If appliances, flues and chimneys are confirmed to be in good working order, the source of carbon monoxide may be from down drafting or a vehicle left running in an attached garage. |
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A sticking thermostat can keep the furnace running continually, depleting the oxygen supply inside the home. This may lead to down drafting. |
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In multiple family dwellings, where living spaces share walls and pipes, carbon monoxide from one unit may enter a neighboring space through floor boards, cracks or underneath doors. |
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Vehicle exhaust may quickly enter the home when a car is left idling in an attached garage ... even with the garage door open. |
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