Carbon monoxide can poison, injure and kill with no warning!
Carbon monoxide stands out as the leading cause of fatal poisoning.
It is also a leading cause of poisoning related injury.
CO is invisible, free of taste and odour free, and when exposed, it interferes with the ability of a person to recognize deadly circumstances.
Carbon monoxide poisoning signs and symptoms
Low Levels: mild headache, nausea, difficulty in breathing
At Higher Concentrations: severe headache; mental confusion, dizziness; impairment of vision and hearing; collapse or fainting on exertion.
Extreme Exposure: coma; death within minutes
The origin of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced once there is incomplete combustion. Examples include fuel burning heaters, vehicle exhaust and a number of chemical sources.
Any worker exposed to carbon monoxide is at risk
Anyone working indoors with engines should be aware of this hazard.
In confined spaces, the risk of poisoning is greater; however, there is also risk in ventilated areas and outdoors.
Emergency responders are at risk - without a carbon monoxide detector they may not recognize danger until it’s too late.
Agricultural workers have been poisoned while using gasoline pressure washers inside barns.
Painters have been poisoned while using paint strippers containing methylene chloride which "creates" carbon monoxide when vapors are within the body.
It is very important to know that carbon monoxide vapors are highly flammable thus easily creating fire and explosions. It is an explosion risk at particular levels.
The dangers of carbon monoxide
The absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream within the lungs is decreased by carbon monoxide; also, the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen is decreased. Cells will stop working properly if they don't receive constant supply of oxygen, and then, they will stop functioning altogether.
Oxygen deprivation generally causes brain damage. Many earlier indications of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning are generally from brain malfunction as a result of deficiency of oxygen.
Breathing high concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause a feeling of tightness across the forehead, headache, throbbing in the temples, weariness, and dizziness.
If a person remains in a contaminated area, more serious symptoms will develop: nausea and vomiting, loss of strength and muscular control, increased breathing rate, slow pulse, and eventually death.
Within a few minutes of exposure to high concentrations, rapid collapse and then death follows. Serious smokers are at an increased risk as compared to non-smokers.
Releasing carbon monoxide from the body is relatively slow but can be accelerated by breathing pure oxygen (or being placed in a hyperbaric chamber).
After-effects of more serious carbon monoxide poisoning can occur during recovery such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, varying degrees of pain, loss of memory, lack of interest, confusion, and tremors. Poisoning can result in brain damage as well as a wide range of long term health problems.
CO is also a potential threat to reproductive health. Pregnant women exposed to it have an increased rate of stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight. To men, it causes genetic damage to reproductive cells, abnormal sperm, and loss of potency.
Safety measures
Installing a CO detector in important areas is the best way to detect the presence of this "silent killer."
Anywhere feasible, prevent using fuel-powered machines indoors. Should it be not possible, open all doors and windows to allow excellent ventilation and make sure that all potential sources are well cared for.
What to do in an emergency
Medical attention should be immediately sought in the appearance of any symptoms of CO poisoning. Fresh air should be given to the exposed person as quickly as possible.
Carbon monoxide stands out as the leading cause of fatal poisoning.
It is also a leading cause of poisoning related injury.
CO is invisible, free of taste and odour free, and when exposed, it interferes with the ability of a person to recognize deadly circumstances.
Carbon monoxide poisoning signs and symptoms
Low Levels: mild headache, nausea, difficulty in breathing
At Higher Concentrations: severe headache; mental confusion, dizziness; impairment of vision and hearing; collapse or fainting on exertion.
Extreme Exposure: coma; death within minutes
The origin of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced once there is incomplete combustion. Examples include fuel burning heaters, vehicle exhaust and a number of chemical sources.
Any worker exposed to carbon monoxide is at risk
Anyone working indoors with engines should be aware of this hazard.
In confined spaces, the risk of poisoning is greater; however, there is also risk in ventilated areas and outdoors.
Emergency responders are at risk - without a carbon monoxide detector they may not recognize danger until it’s too late.
Agricultural workers have been poisoned while using gasoline pressure washers inside barns.
Painters have been poisoned while using paint strippers containing methylene chloride which "creates" carbon monoxide when vapors are within the body.
It is very important to know that carbon monoxide vapors are highly flammable thus easily creating fire and explosions. It is an explosion risk at particular levels.
The dangers of carbon monoxide
The absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream within the lungs is decreased by carbon monoxide; also, the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen is decreased. Cells will stop working properly if they don't receive constant supply of oxygen, and then, they will stop functioning altogether.
Oxygen deprivation generally causes brain damage. Many earlier indications of deadly carbon monoxide poisoning are generally from brain malfunction as a result of deficiency of oxygen.
Breathing high concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause a feeling of tightness across the forehead, headache, throbbing in the temples, weariness, and dizziness.
If a person remains in a contaminated area, more serious symptoms will develop: nausea and vomiting, loss of strength and muscular control, increased breathing rate, slow pulse, and eventually death.
Within a few minutes of exposure to high concentrations, rapid collapse and then death follows. Serious smokers are at an increased risk as compared to non-smokers.
Releasing carbon monoxide from the body is relatively slow but can be accelerated by breathing pure oxygen (or being placed in a hyperbaric chamber).
After-effects of more serious carbon monoxide poisoning can occur during recovery such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, varying degrees of pain, loss of memory, lack of interest, confusion, and tremors. Poisoning can result in brain damage as well as a wide range of long term health problems.
CO is also a potential threat to reproductive health. Pregnant women exposed to it have an increased rate of stillbirth, miscarriage and low birth weight. To men, it causes genetic damage to reproductive cells, abnormal sperm, and loss of potency.
Safety measures
Installing a CO detector in important areas is the best way to detect the presence of this "silent killer."
Anywhere feasible, prevent using fuel-powered machines indoors. Should it be not possible, open all doors and windows to allow excellent ventilation and make sure that all potential sources are well cared for.
What to do in an emergency
Medical attention should be immediately sought in the appearance of any symptoms of CO poisoning. Fresh air should be given to the exposed person as quickly as possible.
About the Author:
Jessica Bouchard lost a family member to a carbon monoxide accident. She now devotes her life to helping raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning as well as helping educate survivors and finding proper carbon monoxide treatment.
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