It's the leading cause of poisoning deaths in America.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless deadly gas. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell it,
carbon monoxide can kill you before you even know it is there.
Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Experts believe, however, that individuals with greater
oxygen requirements such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens, and people with coronary or
respiratory problems are at greater risk.
The great danger of carbon monoxide is its attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream. CO is breathed in
through the lungs and bonds with hemoglobin in the blood, displacing the oxygen cells needed to function.
When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates in the blood, forming a toxic compound known as
carboxyhemoglobin (COHg).
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned. It is produced by common
home appliances, such as gas or oil furnaces, refrigerators or clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces,
charcoal grills, gas ranges, wood burning stoves, and space heaters. Fumes from automobiles also contain
carbon monoxide and can enter a home through walls or doorways if a car is left running in an attached
garage.
All of these sources can contribute to a CO problem in the home. If a home is vented properly and is
free from appliance malfunctions, air pressure fluctuations or airway blockages, carbon monoxide will most
likely be safely vented to the outside. But in today's energy-efficient homes this is frequently not the
case. Insulation meant to keep warm air in during winter months can trap CO-polluted air in a home year-round.
Furnace heat exchangers can crack, vents can become blocked, inadequate air supply for combustion appliances
can cause conditions known as back-drafting or reverse stacking, which force contaminated air back into the home.
Common Sources of CO:
- Blocked chimney opening
- Gas clothes dryer
- Clogged chimney
- Operating BBQ grill in enclosed area
- Portable heaters
- Corroded or disconnected water
- Gas or wood burning fireplace heater vent pipe
- Leaking chimney pipe or flue
- Cracked heat exchanger
- Improperly installed gas range or cook-top vent
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The consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector
per household, near the sleeping area. A second detector near the homes heat source provides extra protection.
Choose an Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) listed detector that sounds an audible alarm. First Alert, the
leading name in home safety, manufactures a UL listed, battery operated carbon monoxide detector that
continues to protect even in the event of a power outage. The first Alert model uses biomimetic technology,
which simulates the body's response to CO and will not respond to other gases. A hard-wired AC model with
battery backup is also available.
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