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Carbon Monoxide InformationIs your home safe?Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer -- help protect your family now with a FREE* home security system. Request Information Online and receive a FREE Security Review! Act Now! Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the most commonly encountered pervasive poison in our environment. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year in the United States carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 500 people and sends another 10,200 to emergency rooms. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that results from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as natural or liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, oil, wood, coal, and other fuels. The health effects related to CO depend upon its concentration in air, the duration of exposure, and its concentration in blood, as well as each individual’s general health. Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin (Hb) with an affinity about 250 times that of oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) and interfering with oxygen transport, delivery, and utilization. Generally, there are no perceptible health effects or symptoms in healthy individuals at COHb levels of 10 percent. Symptoms at blood levels above 10 percent COHb include headache, fatigue, nausea, and cognitive impairment. Loss of consciousness, coma, and death can occur at COHb levels greater than 20 percent. Some symptoms of CO poisoning may mimic common illnesses, such as influenza or colds; thus, there likely is a high incidence of initial misdiagnosis by physicians and victims. Patients are frequently unaware of exposures, and health care providers are not always aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning. COHb formation is reversible, as are some clinical symptoms of CO poisoning. However, some delayed neurological effects that develop following severe poisonings, especially those involving prolonged unconsciousness, may not be reversible. Prompt medical attention is important to reduce the risk of permanent damage. Any fuel-burning appliance can be a potential source of fatal or hazardous CO levels. Fuels, such as natural and liquid petroleum (LP) gas, kerosene, oil, gasoline, coal, and wood can produce large amounts of CO when there is insufficient oxygen available for combustion. Consumer products that burn kerosene, oil, gasoline, coal or wood (such as wood stoves, oil boilers, and kerosene heaters) produce an irritating smoke that can alert the victim to a potentially hazardous situation. Other products, such as charcoal briquettes and pressed wood-chip logs, produce relatively smokeless fires, even at times of inefficient combustion. Victims receive no obvious sensory warning that high CO levels are present. A different hazard scenario is present when gas appliances are not vented properly or are malfunctioning. Natural and LP gas burn more efficiently and cleanly compared with other forms of fuel. In circumstances of poor maintenance, inadequate ventilation, or defective exhaust pathways, natural and LP gas appliances may emit potentially lethal amounts of CO without any irritating fumes. Again, many victims may be unaware of a potential problem. Excerpted from the Consumer Product Safety Commission Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms |
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Carbon Monoxide Information |