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What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the
home?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas.
It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and
gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquified
petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO.
Burning charcoal produces CO. Running cars produce CO.
How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?
Every year, over 200 people in the United States die from CO
produced by fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, ranges, water
heaters, room heaters). Others die from CO produced while
burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still
others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached
garages. Several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms
for treatment for CO poisoning.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but
without the fever). They include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Many people with CO poisoning mistake their symptoms for the flu
or are misdiagnosed by physicians, which sometimes results in
tragic deaths.
What should you do to prevent CO poisoning?
- Make sure appliances are installed according to
manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Most
appliances should be installed by professionals. Have the
heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and
serviced annually. The inspector should also check chimneys and
flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete
disconnections, and loose connections.
- Install a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of
the current UL standard 2034 or the requirements of the IAS 6-96
standard. A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added
protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of
appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO detector/alarm in
the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make
sure the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or
draperies.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a
home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with
the garage door open.
- Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper
knowledge, skills, and tools. Always refer to the owner's manual
when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning
appliances.
- Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes
dryers for heating your home.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room
with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are
sleeping.
- Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors. If
use is unavoidable, ensure that adequate ventilation is
available and whenever possible place engine unit to exhaust
outdoors.
What CO level is dangerous to your health?
The health effects of CO depend on the level of CO and length of
exposure, as well as each individual's health condition. The
concentration of CO is measured in parts per million (ppm).
Health effects from exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to
70 ppm are uncertain, but most people will not experience any
symptoms. Some heart patients might experience an increase in
chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm,
symptoms may become more noticeable (headache, fatigue, nausea).
As CO levels increase above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation,
unconsciousness, and death are possible.
What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO
poisoning?
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO
poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for
more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave
the house. Call your fire department and report your symptoms.
You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. It is
also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper
diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is
causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if
you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are
operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your
fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified
serviceperson checks them for malfunction.
What has changed in CO detectors/alarms recently?
CO detectors/alarms always have been and still are designed to
alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are
reached. The UL standard 2034 (1998 revision) has stricter
requirements that the detector/alarm must meet before it can
sound. As a result, the possibility of nuisance alarms is
decreased.
How should I install a CO Alarm?
CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer's
instructions. CPSC recommends that one CO alarm be installed in
the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area
of the home. CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in
receptacle or high on the wall because CO from any source will
be well-mixed with the air in the house. Make sure furniture or
draperies cannot cover up the alarm.
What should you do when the CO detector/alarm sounds?
Never ignore an alarming CO detector/alarm. If the
detector/alarm sounds: Operate the reset button. Call your
emergency services (fire department or 911). Immediately move to
fresh air -- outdoors or by an open door/window.
How should a consumer test a CO detector/alarm to make sure it
is working?
Consumers should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a
test button, some detectors/alarms test whether the circuitry as
well as the sensor which senses CO is working, while the test
button on other detectors only tests whether the circuitry is
working. For those units which test the circuitry only, some
manufacturers sell separate test kits to help the consumer test
the CO sensor inside the alarm.
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