Carbon monoxide a quiet killer.

By John Messmer, M.D.,

 

You know about carbon monoxide, but did you realize it is the number one cause of unintentional poisoning death in the world? Carbon monoxide kills about 500 people in the United States annually while another 4,000 are treated for carbon monoxide poisoning according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many times people are harmed or killed by carbon monoxide because of something they overlooked or because of a simple error in judgment.

 

Carbon monoxide or CO is a gas produced when something is burned. In the home, fuel burning appliances whether gas, oil or wood, can be a source of CO. So can charcoal and propane grills. (Electric appliances do not produce CO).

 

Carbon Monoxide has no odor or color, making it difficult for people to notice. If you associate CO with the smell of auto exhaust, don’t be mislead. The odor is caused by residual gasoline byproducts, not CO.

 

CO can cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. In people with respiratory or cardiac illness, it can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. And CO poisoning is not always immediate. Often the symptoms come and go, making it difficult to determine the cause. However, if levels get high enough, CO can cause loss of consciousness and death, sometimes without warning during sleep. If several members of the household are experiencing symptoms, suggest CO poisoning to your doctor as a possible cause.

 

To avoid CO poisoning, have heaters, chimneys and flues inspected and serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Be sure there is adequate interior ventilation for any inside burning particularly the newer unvented pellet stoves and kerosene space heaters. Never heat a room or house with a gas stove or oven. Do not let your car idle in an attached garage even if the garage door is open as fumes can move into living spaces quickly. Charcoal is a source of CO so never use a charcoal grill indoors and do not use charcoal in a fireplace.

 

If you have any appliances, tools, or heaters that burn any type of fuel, an additional precaution is the use of a carbon monoxide detector. A CO detector is NOT a substitute for adequate maintenance of the appliance and it is not the same as a smoke detector. The technology for CO detectors is still developing and some are more reliable than others. Check for Underwriters Laboratories approval and consult an independent review such as Consumers Union for information on brands.

 

Be sure you position and maintain a CO detector according to instructions and change the battery annually at least. Test your CO and regular smoke detectors regularly and if you hear an alarm be sure it is not the smoke alarm. The smoke alarm should prompt you to leave immediately. When the CO alarm sounds, check everyone in the house. If anyone is unconscious or confused, get them out of the house and call 911. Otherwise get fresh air and contact your doctor or go to an emergency room for evaluation.

Carbon monoxide can be deadly. But by following a few basic precautions, CO deaths and related injuries are generally avoidable.

 

For more information on CO, go to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html

or http://www.cdc.gov/communication/tips/carbmnx.htm

 

The Consumer Products Safety Council (www.cpsc.gov) has information on recalled CO monitors, by searching “carbon monoxide.”