|
| |
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is widely know as the silent killer. It is highly poisonous and cannot be detected by the senses. You can't see, smell or taste its presence.
Exposure to even low levels of CO can cause brain damage and death.
- CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of gas, solid or liquid fuels. It arises from badly installed or poorly maintained gas appliances. Insufficient
ventilation to the appliance or away from the appliance (flues and chimneys blocked) will also cause CO build up.
- Signs of CO are: yellow or brown stains around the appliance, pilot lights which blow out frequently and increased condensation inside windows.
- Our bodies will quickly and easily absorb carbon monoxide. In fact our bodies will actively seek to absorb CO over oxygen where it is present, even though the gas is fatal to us. If CO
builds up in the air you breathe, you will begin to feel its effects. Once inhaled, carbon monoxide combines with oxygen carrying hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin
inhibits the transference of oxygen around the body, starving the organs of oxygen. This oxygen starvation particularly affects the heart, brain and central nervous system.
- Symptoms are often flu-like and their severity depends on the amount of carbon monoxide inhaled. You may experience any or all of the following: Fatigue, headaches, nausea, chest pains, sudden giddiness when standing up, sickness, diarrhea and stomach pains, erratic
behavior.
- If you suspect CO: switch off appliance, open doors and windows, visit your GP and call a CORGI installer.
- Carbon Monoxide is measured in parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide in air. Below is a chart showing the effects on a healthy adult of the various levels of exposure.
|
Parts per million CO |
Time exposed |
Symptoms | |
50 |
N/A |
Safety level as specified by the HSE (Health & Safety Executive). | |
200 |
2 - 3 hours |
Slight headache, some may experience slight dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, fatigue, lack of concentration, memory loss. | |
400 |
1 - 2 hours |
Headache worsening to a severe headache with prolonged exposure, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, tightness across the chest, memory loss, lack of concentration. | |
800 |
45 minutes |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconscious within 2 hours. Death can occur within 2 - 3 hours. | |
1600 |
20 minutes |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions, unconsciousness. Death can occur within 1 hour. | |
3200 |
5 - 10 minutes |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions, unconsciousness. Death can occur within 1 hour. | |
6400 |
1 - 2 minutes |
Headache, dizziness, nausea, convulsions, unconsciousness. Death in approximately 30 minutes. | |
12800 |
1 - 3 minutes |
Death. |
- If you use an appliance that runs off any fossil fuel, gas, oil, coal or wood you should make sure:
- there is adequate ventilation
- the appliance has been installed correctly
- it is serviced yearly
- it is well maintained
- you consider investing in a CO detector - it could save your life or those of your loved ones.
|
