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Causes of CO Poisoning
You can be in danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning at home if dangerous amounts of Carbon Monoxide accumulate in the home. This can happen as a result of any or a combination of the following:
- Faulty or damaged heating appliances
- Heating appliance not maintained or serviced
- Rooms not properly ventilated
- Blocked chimneys or flues
- Indoor use of a barbecue grill or outdoor heater
- Poor installation of heating appliances
- Improper operation of heating appliances
- Property alterations or home improvements, which reduce ventilation
- Running engines such as vehicles or lawnmowers in garages
- Using cooking appliances for heating purposes
Symptoms of CO Poisoning
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be similar to those caused by other illnesses such as a cold or flu. They include
- Unexplained headaches, chest pains or muscular weakness
- Sickness, diarrhoea or stomach pains
- Sudden dizziness when standing up
- General lethargy
What to Do?
If anyone in your house has any of the symptoms outlined above get fresh air immediately, then go to your doctor and ask him/her to check for Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Stop using the appliance immediately and do not use it again until it has been checked by a registered installer or a qualified service agent.
The amount of CO which the blood absorbs depends chiefly on two things: how much CO is in the air and the time of the exposure. Adverse effects of CO on humans are reduced by periods of breathing fresh air. The degree of recovery depends on the number and length of those periods. The general state of health and degree of physical activity of a person exposed to CO are other factors involved in the effects of Carbon Monoxide on the body.
| Physiological Effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) |
| Parts per Million |
Time of Exposure |
Response |
| 50 |
|
Threshold limit, no apparent toxic symptoms |
| 100 |
Several hours |
No symptoms for long periods |
| 200 |
2-3 hours |
Possible headache |
| 400 |
1-2 hours |
Frontal headache and nausea |
| 800 |
45 minutes |
Headache, dizziness and nausea |
| 800 |
2 hours |
Collapse and possible unconsciousness |
| 1600 |
20 minutes |
Headache, dizziness and nausea |
| 1600 |
2 hours |
Collapse, unconsciousness, possible death |
| 3200 |
5-10 minutes |
Headache and dizziness |
| 3200 |
10-15 minutes |
Unconsciousness and possible death |
| 6400 |
1-2 minutes |
Headache and dizziness |
| 6400 |
0-15 minutes |
Unconsciousness and possible death |
| 12800 |
Immediate |
Unconsciousness |
| 12800 |
1-3 minutes |
Danger of death |
If you or your family experience symptoms and you believe CO may be involved you should seek urgent medical advice. Inform your doctor of your concerns. CO will leave the blood when you go out into the fresh air and tests for CO may be inaccurate if taken hours after the exposure has ceased.
Again, if you find a person ill or unconscious near any fuel burning appliance, be careful in case you also become a casualty. Get fresh air immediately by opening windows and doors. |
