Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas. It is produced as the by-product of all combustion processes, so any fuel-fired appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of CO.

When appliances are kept in good working condition, they produce little CO. But improperly maintained or operated appliances or back-drafting appliances can produce fatal CO concentrations in the home.

What is the source of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly gas. It is also known as “CO,” and it has earned the name of “the silent killer.” CO is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide is extremely difficult to detect. However, there are countless sources of carbon monoxide pollution. Everyday appliances surround us in our homes or places of employment that can pose a potential risk of CO poisoning. Even your motor vehicles pose the risk of possible carbon monoxide poisoning.

What are the effects of CO poisoning?

The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be devastating, and this gas can and does kill thousands of people each year. Some people don’t even realize that they have been poisoned. There have been countless cases of CO poisoning victims simply slipping away into a deep sleep or unconsciousness from which there is no reawakening. Even if a person survives, carbon monoxide poisoning CO can still cause long-term damage and permanent damage and disability.

Carbon Monoxide Side Effects

When someone is exposed to an unsafe amount of carbon monoxide, they may suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood and contributes to acute hypoxic injury. Carbon monoxide poisoning often causes long-lasting neurological problems in victims.

Symptoms of exposure truly depend on the amount of carbon monoxide in the room and length of time of the exposure.

Mild Carbon monoxide (low level) exposure signs:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

Moderate Carbon monoxide exposure signs:

  • Chest pain
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Difficulty thinking
  • Blurred vision
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unsteadiness

Severe Carbon monoxide exposure signs:

  • Seizures
  • Palpitations
  • Disorientation
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Damage to the heart muscle
  • Coma and death

Carbon Monoxide Information

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is colorless, tasteless, odorless, flammable, and highly toxic to living things. Its properties make carbon monoxide difficult for humans to sense, and even small amounts of the gas can cause severe harm or death.

Thousands of fatalities and injuries are from carbon monoxide poisoning each year. Even though carbon monoxide poisoning is a common industrial hazard, numerous people are injured and killed by carbon monoxide poisoning at home, on vacation, while in buildings, boats, garages, and cars. Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, and unfortunately, severe damage and even death can occur before you even realize what is happening.

Carbon monoxide can be associated with:

  • Tobacco Smoke
  • Automobile Exhaust
  • Heating Equipment (water heater, furnace)
  • Fireplaces
  • Paint Remover (methylene chloride)

Consider the following tips for minimizing CO risks:

You should never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent.

Never use unvented fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent.

Never leave a vehicle running in an attached garage. And minimize the amount of time the vehicle is in the garage when you start it each morning, even with the garage door open. Move the vehicle out as soon as possible after starting.

Have a competent contractor service your fuel-fired appliances on a regular basis (every one to two years).

Never use gas appliances such as ovens, ranges, or clothes dryers for heating your home.

Be sure never to operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room without adequate ventilation or in any room where people are sleeping.

Do not use or service gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors or in an attached garage.

Carbon monoxide exposure in the last 24 hours

How can I tell?

If you have had a higher than normal level of carbon monoxide exposure, then you have been poisoned; it is a question of how severe it is.

If you think you may have been exposed during the last 24 hours, then take IMMEDIATE action – DO NOT DELAY:

  • Have you been, or are you, experiencing symptoms typical of carbon monoxide exposure/poisoning?
  • Is anyone else at your location experiencing similar symptoms?
  • Are there any pets at your location acting sick, withdrawn, or off-balance?
  • Did a carbon monoxide detector go off? (it is designed to go off before anyone has symptoms)
  • Are there/have there been any out-of-the-ordinary circumstances or potential sources of carbon monoxide? (vehicle/generator/equipment left running in/near the building or near a fresh air intake, tradespeople doing work of any kind on or near the premises, etc.)
  • Have you been in any conditions or circumstances that could cause carbon monoxide exposure similar to sources of one-time poisonings or sources of multiple low-level poisonings?

If you (or anyone else at your location) are experiencing symptoms from carbon monoxide exposure/poisoning

  • Get fresh air immediately – open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the building.
  • Call 911.
  • Do a headcount to make sure people and pets are out of the building.
  • Go to an emergency room and let them know you suspect carbon monoxide exposure and poisoning. Specifically, ask to have a blood test for carbon monoxide (this is only a meaningful test if done within a few hours after exposure).

Even if you answered “No” to all of the above, it is still possible you may have had low-level carbon monoxide exposure.

To be safe, even if you think there is the smallest chance you or anyone else at your location has had carbon monoxide exposure:

  • Open windows to allow fresh air flow within the building.
  • Get fresh air immediately.
  • For very mild poisoning, fresh air may be all that is needed. As soon as a person breathes fresh air, the levels of carbon monoxide in the blood will begin to decrease and return to normal levels.
  • Call the fire department. Most will come to your location and test for safe levels of carbon monoxide in the home or building. Some may even do a quick check for anything that looks unusual.
  • Buy and install a carbon monoxide detector. Check your premises for anything that looks out-of-the-ordinary.
  • Arrange to have all fuel-burning appliances inspected and serviced as soon as possible.

Carbon monoxide exposure one or more times in the past. How can I tell?

Carbon monoxide exposure – if you have had a higher than normal level of exposure, then you have been poisoned; it is a question of how severe it is.

Blood can be tested for unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, but only if it is done within a few hours after a person is removed from the source of carbon monoxide.

As soon as a person breathes fresh air, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood begins to decrease and slowly returns to normal levels. However, a person may still experience effects. Some people are at higher risk of effects than others.

To our knowledge, there are no medical tests that can directly confirm that a person has been exposed-to and poisoned-by carbon monoxide at some point in the past. Please contact us if you are aware of a definitive test.

However, the likelihood of previous carbon monoxide exposure and, therefore, poisoning can be indirectly investigated in several ways.

If you suspect you may have had carbon monoxide exposure one time in the past:

  • To the best of your recollection, did you at some point experience symptoms and effects typical of one-time carbon monoxide exposure/poisoning (acute CO poisoning)?
  • Did you or are you experiencing short-term symptoms and effects?
  • Are you experiencing long-term symptoms and effects?
  • Did/has anyone else at your location complained of similar symptoms? If yes, did everyone’s symptoms appear about the same time?
  • Were any pets at your location acting sick, withdrawn, or off-balance?
  • Are there/have there been any out-of-the-ordinary circumstances or potential sources of carbon monoxide? (vehicle/generator/equipment left running in/near the building or near a fresh air intake, tradespeople doing work of any kind on or near the premises, etc.)
  • Are there/have there been any potential conditions or circumstances that could cause carbon monoxide levels to rise?
  • Have you been in any conditions or circumstances similar to sources of one-time carbon monoxide exposure/poisonings?

If you suspect you may have had carbon monoxide exposure multiple times in the past:

  • Did you or have you been experiencing symptoms typical of multiple low-level carbon monoxide exposure/poisoning (chronic CO poisoning)?
  • Did symptoms seem to get worse after spending time at the suspected location (home, work, vehicle, etc.)?
  • Do symptoms seem to disappear or decrease when you leave the location and reappear when you return?
  • Did you or are you experiencing any short to mid-term effects or delayed symptoms from carbon monoxide exposure?
  • Are you experiencing long-term symptoms and effects?
  • Did/has anyone else at your location complained of symptoms or had health issues typical of multiple carbon monoxide exposure/poisonings? If yes, did everyone’s symptoms appear about the same time?
  • Has there been any construction, renovation, or upgrades to the suspected location in the last five years? Or even longer? Was the work located anywhere near the heating or mechanical system?
  • Are there/have there been any potential conditions or circumstances that could cause the carbon monoxide levels to rise in a building or area?
  • Have you been in any conditions or circumstances similar to the examples in carbon monoxide sources in multiple low-level poisonings?