| Answer to Question 2: Hi Mary, Here is some information on Carbon Monoxide which I hope you will find useful. 1) Carbon Monoxide – The Deadly Killer You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be safe. Practice the DO’s and DON’Ts of carbon monoxide. What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)? Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas often formed in the process of incomplete combustion of organic substances, including fuels. It is dangerous because it interferes with normal oxygen uptake for humans and other living organisms needing oxygen to live. 2) Sources of Carbon Monoxide Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. How can I tell the difference between CO poisoning and the flu? It could be CO poisoning if:
If I don’t have any symptoms, can I be sure that CO levels are at a safe level? No. Breathing low concentrations of CO may not result in obvious symptoms of CO poisoning, yet long-term exposure can still adversely affect health. At high concentrations, CO poisoning is easy to overlook because the symptoms are non-specific and your symptoms may come and go if CO concentrations change quickly. The best way to prevent CO poisoning is to make sure your fuel-burning appliances are operating, venting and maintained properly, and by installing a CO alarm. I’ve heard tobacco smoke contains CO--can I experience CO poisoning from second hand tobacco smoke? Second-hand tobacco smoke (also known as “environmental tobacco smoke”) contains CO in addition to many other hazardous chemicals and particles. Concentrations of CO in second hand smoke are too low to cause immediate poisoning, but breathing the CO from second-hand smoke for a long time can adversely affect the health of those exposed to it. In fact, according to EPA, it is possible for cigar smokers to raise indoor CO concentrations to more than 9 ppm above ambient concentrations measured outside. The concentration of the CO will vary with the type of building parameters including ventilation, the number of tobacco products smoked and the smoking rate. Are some people at greater risk of CO poisoning than others? Yes, some people are at greater risk of CO poisoning. They include:
Remember, anyone can become sick and die from CO poisoning when very high CO exposures occur. How can I tell if I may be at risk for CO poisoning in my home? Homes with fuel-burning appliances (such as furnaces, water heaters, gas ovens, and fireplaces) or an attached garage are more likely to have CO problems. You should have your fuel-burning appliances checked by a qualified heating contractor every year to look for possible problems. The following signs may indicate a CO problem:
Can CO be a problem during the summer? Yes. Although CO problems are more common during the heating season, vehicles including boats and some other fuel burning devices are used year-round and can be sources of CO in your home during any season. In addition, CO poisonings have resulted from the use of fuel burning devices during power outages. Where else could I experience CO poisoning? Anytime you are near a fuel-burning device, there is a risk of CO exposure. Because vehicles are a common source of CO problems, Phoenix Safety recommends against running your vehicle in an attached garage—back your vehicle out right away. Phoenix Safety also recommends making sure your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is not blocked, for example, by snow, leaves etc. Fatalities due to CO inhalation have also occurred from boat motors. Be sure to follow your manufacturer’s guidelines and warn children about potential dangers near parts of the boat where exhaust concentrations could be high. Dangerous concentrations of CO may also be produced by burning fossil-fuel appliances, such gas stoves or charcoal grills in any enclosed space including campers and tents. Finally, inhalation of paint removers containing methylene chloride can also result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to follow directions and use products containing methylene chloride in well-ventilated areas. 4) Health Effects Associated with Carbon Monoxide At low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations. Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal. 5) Levels in Homes Average levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher. 6) Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
Measurement Methods Some relatively high-cost infrared radiation adsorption and electrochemical instruments do exist. Moderately priced real-time measuring devices are also available. A passive monitor is currently under development. 7) Play it Safe If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning:
Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Do have your fuel-burning appliances -- including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves -- inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked. Do choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers’ instructions. Do read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning. Don’t idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home. Don’t use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time. Don’t ever use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace. Don’t sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater. Don’t use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
Don’t
ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You
could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available in stores and you may want to consider buying one as a back-up -- BUT NOT AS A REPLACEMENT for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. However, it is important for you to know that the technology of CO detectors is still developing, that there are several types on the market, and that they are not generally considered to be as reliable as the smoke detectors found in homes today. Some CO detectors have been laboratory-tested, and their performance varied. Some performed well, others failed to alarm even at very high CO levels, and still others alarmed even at very low levels that don’t pose any immediate health risk. And unlike a smoke detector, where you can easily confirm the cause of the alarm, CO is invisible and odorless, so it’s harder to tell if an alarm is false or a real emergency. So What’s a Consumer to Do? First, don’t let buying a CO detector lull you into a false sense of security. Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm. Follow the checklist of DOs and DON’Ts above. Second, if you shop for a CO detector, do some research on features and don’t select solely on the basis of cost. Carefully follow manufacturers’ instructions for its placement, use, and maintenance. If the CO detector alarm goes off: Make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector. Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of poisoning. If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the doctor that you suspect CO poisoning. If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources of CO -- your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine. Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from being vented out of the house. 8) 10 Steps to Carbon Monoxide Safety Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a subject that people know very little about. Not only can it kill you, it can cause permanent Neurological Damage in the longer term. In the short term, it can make you feel ill and inhibit you life potential. Here's what to do to protect yourself. Please read all of the 10 steps to the end, it may be that the following five minutes could save your life, or the life of someone else.
Kind Regards,
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