Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (chemical symbol CO) is an extremely dangerous colorless and odorless gas that can cause many serious health problems, and can be fatal. CO is produced by the incomplete burning carbon containing fuels and, due to its unobtrusive composition, frequently goes undetected.

Carbon Monoxide

In the event of CO exposure, the chemical enters the body during inhalation and goes into the lungs. It is then absorbed by the hemoglobin in the red blood cells and displaces the red blood cells ability to carry oxygen, affecting your heart, brain, and other vital organs.

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly gas, which has earned the name of ‘the silent killer’. However, there are many sources of pollution, and everyday items within the home and office can pose a potential risk. Even your car or motor vehicle poses the risk of possible CO poisoning.

The effects of poisoning can be devastating, and this gas can and dies kills thousands of people each year. Some people don’t even realise that they have been poisoned. Simply slipping away in to unconsciousness or a deep sleep from which they will never reawaken. For those that don’t die, CO poisoning can still cause long term damage and permanent damage and disability.

Carbon monoxide exposure is generally classified into two categories:

  • Acute;
  • Chronic.

Acute refers to one exposure lasting less than twenty-four hours.

Chronic exposure generally involves lower levels of carbon monoxide and a exposure(s) of greater than twenty-four hours.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include confusion, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. In many situations, people who visit the doctor for theses symptoms are often misdiagnosed as having the flu, allergies, food poisoning, psychiatric issues, or heart problems. Often symptoms will occur in more than one person and pets. These symptoms may resolve temporarily when the victim leaves the carbon monoxide producing environment.

Many people are unknowingly exposed to carbon monoxide in their homes and daily lives due to products such as:

  • Cigarettes;
  • Kitchen appliances;
  • Vehicle exhaust;
  • Barbeques and indoor heating systems.

In addition to being exposed to carbon monoxide in the home, people who work in various industries may also be at risk. Employees in the following fields may suffer from carbon monoxide exposure:

  • Welding;
  • Mechanical work and auto repair;
  • Firefighter;
  • Longshore employees;
  • Forklift drivers;
  • Parking structure attendants.

In order to try and minimise the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning to you and your family. It is essential to know the causes, the treatments and how to recognise the symptoms of CO poisoning. This site will enable you to find out more about this deadly gas, and how you can help to minimise the risks in your home, car and office.

Why is it so Dangerous?

Provides information on the various dangers associated with this gas. From the difficulty in being able to detect its presence. To its ability to cause serious damage and death.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Goes into detail on what CO is and how it can affect our health and out lives.

Symptoms

Details the various symptoms that are associated with this type of poisoning, as well as highlighting their non-specific nature.

Sources

Goes in to the various appliances and sources that can pose a risk of CO poisoning, both in the home and at work.

Prevention and Safety Tips

Describes various steps and precautions that you can take in order to minimise on the risks of carbon monoxidepoisoning to yourself and your family.

Long Term Effects

Lists the possible long term damage that can be caused by breathing in this deadly gas, and why these effects may come about.

Treatments

Explains the various treatments that are available, both in terms of the poisoning of the blood as well as the related illnesses that stem from CO poisoning.

The Chemistry and Science

Explains more about how and why breathing in carbon monoxide can affect us so badly, and what sort of symptoms can be expected with various levels of saturation.

Carbon Monoxide in Your Car

Details the history behind carbon monoxide emission from motor vehicles and highlights the importance of getting your vehicle checked. You can also find out more about how CO fumes from your car can also affect your home.

Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

Provides details on the types of appliances within the home that may pose a CO risk, as well as highlighting ways to make your home as carbon monoxide-proof as possible.

Ways to Detect

Explains the difficulties of detecting carbon monoxide, and how to look for clues. You can also find out more about CO detectors and how they can help.

What to do if You Suspect a CO Leak?

Details the action you should take if you do suspect a leak, and the importance of acting quickly in order to minimise on CO poisoning.

The articles on this site should enable you to get a more detailed insight into what carbon monoxide is. What sort of dangers it poses and how we can all help to minimise on the risks that could cause serious damage or death.

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