
8
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an insidious poison that is released when fuels
are burnt. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas and therefore very
difcult to detect with the human senses. CO kills hundreds of people
each year and injures many more. It binds to the hemoglobin in the blood
and reduces the amount of oxygen being circulated in the body. In high
concentrations, CO can kill in minutes. CO is produced by the incomplete
combustion of fuels such as wood, charcoal, coal, heating oil, parafn,
petrol, natural gas, propane, butane etc.
Examples of CO sources:
• Running engine in garage -Gas appliances;
• Oil and Gas furnaces -Portable generators;
• Wood stoves -Gas or kerosene heaters;
• Barbecues Clogged chimneys;
• Wood and gas replaces Heating boiler.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
The following symptoms may be related to CO poisoning:
35 ppm The maximum allowable concentration for continuous
exposure for healthy adults in any 8 hour period.
200 ppm Slight headaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.
400 ppm Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3
hours.
800 ppm Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes.
Unconsciousness within 2 hours, Death within 3 hours.
1600 ppm Headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes. Death
within 1 hour.
6400 ppm Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes.
WARNING: The apparatus may not prevent the chronic effects of carbon
monoxide exposure, and that the apparatus will not fully safeguard individuals
at special risk. It may not fully safeguard individuals with specic medical
conditions. If in doubt, consult a medical practitioner.