Carbon monoxide
Tuesday, 03 June 2008, Written by Trouni   

Characteristics Main sources Effects on health
  • toxic gas or liquid
  • colorless
  • practically odorless
  • tasteless
  • incomplete or inefficient combustion of fuel, coal or wood
  • poorly ventilated stoves, gas heaters, and cigarettes
  • reduce the supply of oxygen to the heart
  • low concentrations: flu-like symptoms like headaches, weakness, drowsiness, impeded coordination, confusion and nausea
  • high concentration: loss of consciousness, death

About carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, practically odorless, tasteless and toxic gas or liquid, which is produced by:
  • incomplete or inefficient combustion of fuel, coal, wood or petroleum
  • auto, truck or bus exhaust
  • industrial processes and fuel combustion in boilers and incinerations.

Indoors, gas water heaters can also emit CO In the case of indoor air pollution:

  • kerosene and gas heaters
  • leaking chimneys and furnaces
  • back-drafting from furnaces
  • gas water heaters
  • wood stoves
  • gas stoves
  • tobacco smoke

Impact of CO on your health

As CO prevents the normal transportation from oxygen by the blood, exposure to this gas can lead to significant reduction in the supply of oxygen to the heart, particularly in people suffering from heart disease. The effects of CO on human health vary from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

  • at low concentrations, people suffering from heart disease can experience fatigue and chest pain, at higher concentration they can even suffer from impaired vision and concentration, dizziness and confusion.
  • at moderate concentration CO causes flu-like symptoms including headache, dizziness, confusion or nausea which may lead to reduced work capacity, reduced manual dexterity and difficulty in performing complex tasks.
  • in case of intense or high exposure, CO can lead to a loss of consciousness and even to death

 

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