Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is found in the fumes produced when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane and methane burn incompletely in fireplaces, furnaces, vehicles, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, and even gas ranges. This harmful gas is referred to as the silent killer, and according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), is responsible for over 100,000 emergency room visits and 400 deaths each year in the United States.
While everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, those likely to become ill from carbon monoxide are the elderly, infants and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory concerns. The carbon monoxide will enter the body through breathing and symptoms can be subtle and often confused with flu, food poisoning and other illnesses.
The concentration of CO is measured in parts per million (ppm) and causes different symptoms, including death, the more a person is exposed. Since the shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness and other signs of CO poisoning can often be dismissed as other concerns, it’s important to have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home and also understand how the ppm concentration can affect even healthy adults. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) lists the symptoms and risks that exposure to the different levels of ppm will cause:
50 ppm will have no adverse effects with 8 hours of exposure.
200 ppm will cause mild headaches after only 2-3 hours of exposure.
400 ppm will cause headaches and nausea after only 1-2 hours of exposure.
800 ppm will cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness after only 45 minutes. After one hour, adults exposed will collapse and become unconscious.
1,000 ppm will cause a loss of consciousness after only 1 hour of exposure.
1,600 ppm will cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness after only 20 minutes of exposure.
3,200 ppm will cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness in 5-10 minutes. After 30 minutes of exposure, adults will collapse and become unconscious.
6,400 ppm will cause headache and dizziness after only 1-2 minutes. After 10-15 minutes of exposure, adults will become unconscious and at risk of death.
12,800 ppm will cause immediate physiological effects, unconsciousness and danger of death after only 1-3 minutes of exposure.
Take precautions inside and outside your home! Your heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide inside your home while vehicles or generators running in an attached garage outside your home can produce dangerous levels of CO as well.
These simple steps can help reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and protect your household:
Have a licensed professional inspect and service your heating system annually to ensure proper operation and address concerns promptly.
Never operate a portable generator inside your home or garage.
Make certain all home appliances are installed correctly and meet the local building codes.
Never use gas ranges or ovens to heat your home.
Make certain vehicles are not left running in a garage.
Have CO detectors installed on each level of your home and check regularly to ensure they are working properly. If the alarm sounds, immediately leave the home and dial 9-1-1.
Knowing the common causes and effects can help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
For over 34 years, ServiceMaster By Mason has been sharing expert tips to help families stay safe in their homes and clean-up from any unexpected disasters. For additional safety tips, visit the website at: www.servicemasterbymason.com
* source: National Fire Protection Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
