Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer
What is carbon monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that interferes with how the body distributes oxygen in the blood. Burning fossil fuels produces CO.
What are the major sources of CO?
Carbon monoxide results from burning carbon-containing fuels including coal, wood, charcoal, natural gas and fuel oil. If you don’t install, maintain or adequately vent gas space heaters, furnaces, woodstoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and water heaters, they may emit CO. Other sources of CO include unvented kerosene, automobile exhaust from garages and tobacco smoke.
How does it affect health?
Carbon monoxide interferes with how the body distributes oxygen in the blood. Depending on how much you inhale, this gas can reduce co-ordination, worsen cardiovascular conditions and produce fatigue, headache, weakness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, and dizziness. Very high levels can cause death.
The symptoms are sometimes confused with the flu or food poisoning. Fetuses, infants, the elderly and people with heart and respiratory illnesses are particularly at high risk for the adverse health effects of carbon monoxide.
What can I do to prevent CO poisoning?
- Maintain appliances properly and make sure that they are working to manufacturers' instructions and local codes.
- Inspect the heating system, chimneys and flues annually
- and have a qualified technician clear them.
- Open flues when you are using fireplaces.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.
- Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle, or camper.
- Make sure that you vent stoves and heaters to the outside and that exhaust systems do not leak.
- Do not use unvented gas or kerosene space heaters in enclosed spaces.
- Never leave a car or lawn mower engine running in a shed or garage or in any enclosed space.
- Make sure your furnace adequately takes in outside air.
What can I do if I have CO poisoning?
Don't ignore the symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them.
If you think you are suffering from CO poisoning, you should:
- Get fresh air immediately. Open all doors and windows. Turn off any fuel-burning appliances and leave the house.
- Go to an emergency room. Be sure to tell the doctor that you suspect CO poisoning.
- Be prepared to answer the following questions: Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms? Did everyone's symptoms appear about the same time? Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home? Has anyone inspected your appliances lately? Are you certain they are working properly?
What about carbon monoxide alarms?
Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms back up, but don’t replace, properly using and maintaining your fuel-burning appliances. CO alarm technology is still being developed and you may wish to select a CO alarm that has a long-term warranty and that you can easily test and reset to make sure that it is functioning properly. Make sure that a qualified agency such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) has listed the alarm that you choose. Don’t choose a particular CO alarm solely because of cost; do some research on the different features available. To make sure that your detector works as best as it can during sleeping hours, place it close to sleeping areas.
If your CO detector goes off, you should:
- Make sure it is the CO alarm and not the smoke alarm.
- Check to see if any member of your household is experiencing symptoms.
- If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention.
- If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air and turn off all potential sources of CO.
- Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly.
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