| Washington University School of Medicine |
Environmental Health & Safety |
CARBON MONOXIDE
How it Kills … Carbon monoxide (CO) is toxic to humans because it is attracted to hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells. Normally, hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout our bodies, releasing it to tissues as needed. When CO gas is present, it replaces the oxygen, and in heavy concentrations, can kill in minutes. In lower concentrations the symptoms mimic the flu or other viruses which are common in cold weather months.
In Your Home
Due to its nature, carbon monoxide cannot be detected by the human senses. But
sometimes the gas will leave clues to its presence. These are things to look for which might indicate (but not always) that you have excessive concentrations of CO:
| Stale, stuffy air that never seems to clear. |
| Excessive humidity that condensates on windows. |
| A hot draft venting from the chimney into the home, or no draft at all in the chimney. |
| Soot which accumulates around the outside of a fireplace, chimney, or furnace. |
| A smell of exhaust fumes in the air. |
In Your Body
The physical symptoms of CO poisoning are often misdiagnosed as the flu or virus. Some of the symptoms may include:
| Persistent, severe headaches. |
| Dizziness or blurred vision. |
| Nausea and/or vomiting. |
| Chronic fatigue and drowsiness. |
| Rapid pulsed or fluttering of the heart, tightness of the chest. |
| Dizziness, fainting, unconsciousness, or dimmed vision. |
| The absence of any of these symptoms once you leave your house. |
| Confusion, anxiety, irritability, disorientation, loss of muscle control. |
Infants, small children and persons with cardiovascular problems are more susceptible to the ill effects of carbon monoxide. Even low concentrations of the gas can cause problems for individuals in these categories. Since the physical symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu or virus, it is important to remember that if you do experience some of these symptoms, you may indeed have the flu. But if the conditions persist and nothing seems to help, or your entire family seems to be experiencing the same illnesses, you should seek medical advice immediately and mention your fear of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Here is list of things you can do to prevent the invisible killer from entering your home!
| Purchase & install a Carbon Monoxide Detector. |
| Check all your duct work which is vented to the outside (chimneys, water heaters, etc.) on an annual basis for any signs of blockage (bird nests, large twigs, etc..) |
| If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, have the chimney cleaned annually. |
| Have your heating system inspected annually, (before the cold weather sets in) to check for proper and safe operation of all parts. |
| If your home is extremely airtight, you may want to contact your local utility company for information regarding adequate ventilation, back-drafting concerns, or to measure the carbon monoxide level in your home. |
| Inspect your vehicle's exhaust system for leaks. Most muffler shops will do this for free. |
| Don't forget your water heater. Make sure that is properly vented and the ductwork does not leak any exhaust gases into the room. |
| Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector. It's an economical and accurate way to warn you if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are accumulating in your home or RV. |
| Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html |
| OSHA Safety and Health, OSHA Fact Sheets http://www.osha-slc.gov/OshDoc/Fact_data/FSNO92-11.html |
| NIOSH/ALERT/ Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools Alert-DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/carbon2.html |
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