What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
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Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death. All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 500 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning.
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Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?
Carbon monoxide is the by-product of the incomplete combustion of any fuel source, whether natural gas, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, or gasoline, and can be produced by a wide array of common appliances, including furnaces and water heaters, clothes dryers, space heaters, ranges and ovens, fireplaces, wood stoves, charcoal grills, and garaged automobiles.
To prevent poisoning, it is crucial that appliances be properly maintained and adjusted. Typically, a well-adjusted gas stove will give off minute amounts of carbon monoxide; but without periodic maintenance, that same stove could emit dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. A simple check for many stoves and other appliances is the "flame test." Pilot or ignition lights and burners should be blue in color, indicating sufficient oxygen and complete combustion of the fuel source; a yellow flame indicates that combustion is incomplete due to improper supply of oxygen or a bad mix of fuel and air, resulting in higher levels of carbon monoxide.
"Venting" is also an important part of pre-venting. Appliances like gas dryers should be vented to the outside, along with non-electric space heaters. When a space heater is moved around too often to provide venting, a window should be partially opened to provide a fresh source of combustion air. And you should regularly inspect vents, flue pipes, chimneys, filters, and venting systems for all appliances, furnaces, and water heaters, checking for blockages, corrosion, cracks, or other damage. Most homeowners find it appropriate to schedule a yearly inspection by a licensed technician or contractor, with that visit including maintenance and adjustment of appliances.
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Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
- Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals. Have the heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
- Install a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard 2034. A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
- Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills, and tools. Always refer to the owner's manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning appliances.
- Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.
- Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors.
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Useful Links
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Fact sheet on Carbon Monoxide
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/frs-safe/resources/citizens/carbonmonoxide.asp
EPA's Information on Carbon Monoxide
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
Consumer Project Safety Commission
Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Center for Environmental Health
www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
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