subject: Protect Yourself From The Invisible Monster Carbon Monoxide [print this page] Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gasCarbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas. As it is colorless, tasteless and odorless, it is not detectable without a sensor. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are highly similar to the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, it becomes the silent, unidentified cause of death. Common sources of carbon monoxide are incomplete burning of fuels, faulty furnaces, portable stoves filled with propane, electrical generators, lawn mowers, heaters, and wood-burning stoves, among others. The presence of carbon monoxide is measured in ppm (Parts Per Million). The average measurement of carbon monoxide inside homes is 5 ppm and near gas stoves, it is 5 15 ppm.
The symptoms mimic the symptoms of other illnesses; therefore, most of the victims stay in the same place, and lose their lives. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea, dizziness, depression, and confusion. Symptoms of chronic poisoning include memory loss, vomiting, convulsion, and unconsciousness. More acute poisoning causes depression of the central nervous system, pulmonary edema, high blood sugar, acute kidney failure, visual & auditory problems, and other severe problems. These symptoms usually occur with other illnesses such as viral syndromes, meningitis, altitude sickness, respiratory diseases, migraine, and so on. Therefore, these symptoms are often ignored. Pregnant women should be extremely cautious because it has severe adverse effects on the fetus. It crosses the placenta and enters the hemoglobin of the fetus, causing severe defects in the baby. Fetal hemoglobin can be affected 10-15% more than adult hemoglobin, hence more susceptible to danger.
Preventive Measures to be Taken:
Get your equipment like chimneys and furnaces installed by trained personnel. Inspection and servicing of these equipment regularly is necessary.
Operate fuel-burning equipment only after reading the user manual properly.
Never attempt to repair leaky equipment without proper knowledge. It is highly recommended to get the service of a professional.
Avoid burning charcoal inside homes, motor homes, and tents.
Aluminum foil should not be placed under natural gas or propane ovens because it could be the catalyst for the production of carbon monoxide.
Fuel-burning equipment to be used in tents and in open space shouldnt be used inside homes.
Check the vents of chimneys and furnaces periodically for blocks.
The easy and necessary preventive measure is installing proper CO alarms. Use reliable devices like ADT Security Systems to better detect the presence of carbon monoxide. Levels of 150-200 ppm are highly dangerous; however, most people do not feel any of the symptoms until the CO level reaches 70 ppm. Therefore, it becomes necessary to choose a reliable carbon monoxide sensor. A CO sensor can warn you before carbon monoxide reaches life-threatening levels.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends placing the alarms in the hallway outside bedrooms and in the sleeping areas. The alarms should not be placed behind curtains or furniture because it could prevent the device from sensing the presence of the gas. CO alarms should be placed in each level of the building. Placing the sensors in kitchens and above fuel-burning appliances is not recommended because the level of carbon monoxide is usually high in these places and hence there are chances of getting false alarms. However, a warning alarm should not be ignored because it could result in lethal effects. Though deaths due to carbon monoxide are not common, it is necessary for us to take preventive measures.
Medical Care:
If you feel that there is a high level of CO inside your home, go out to inhale fresh air. If you feel that you have inhaled high amounts of carbon monoxide, seek the help of a doctor immediately. Checking the appliances at your home before reusing them is also crucial. Operate the appliances only after they are inspected by a qualified professional.
