Carbon Monoxide

The Silent Killer

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, tasteless and nonirritating gas that is produced when any fuel is burned. This includes common flammables and combustibles such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, coal, and even tobacco. CO is commonly known as the "silent killer". At least ten thousand people per year in the USA are affected by CO poisoning. Common sources of CO are gas furnaces, gas stoves, gas water heaters, kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, campers, house trailers, automobiles (driving & in garages), charcoal grills indoors or in a garage.

CO produces its toxicity due to several factors. CO becomes tightly bound to hemoglobin of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. CO gas combines with the red cells of the blood about 200 times more readily than oxygen. Therefore, a small quantity of carbon monoxide can "monopolize" the red cells and prevent oxygen from being transported to all parts of the body. The victim(s) basically suffocate.

It is difficult to tell if a person is a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. Sometimes, a complaint of having the "Flu" is really a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning. The winter season is a prime-time for CO poisoning.

Remember CO is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the USA.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS of CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING
The early signs and symptoms of CO are flu-like and include headache, nausea and vomiting, later signs are disorientation, dizziness, muscle weakness, angina, unconsciousness (coma), and eventually respiratory and cardiac arrest (death). If you find several patients together who all have these symptoms, (entire families, especially in winter), suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and remove every one from the structure or vehicle. Remember that children and the elderly are more susceptible to CO.

FIRST AID  
If you suspect a victim(s) of having CO poisoning, remember to protect yourself first. DO NOT become a victim, CALL 911 FIRST. If you think it is safe, immediately remove the victim(s) from the toxic environment and into fresh air. If you know first aid, do your ABC's and if necessary, CPR. The victim(s) need 100% Oxygen as soon as possible, so make sure EMS is en route. They will need to go to the local E.R. for further treatment and blood work and possibly be placed in a hyperbaric chamber for severe cases of CO poisoning. Northside Hospital and Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital each have two chambers.

LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE (PPM) IN CONFINED SPACES AND AFFECTS ON THE BODY


Concentration of CO in Air pa rts per million (PPM) Approx imate Inhalation Time and Toxic Symptoms Developed

50 ppm The maximum allowable concentration for continuous exposure for healthy adults in any 8 hr. period, according to O.S.H.A.

200 ppm Slight headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea after 2-3 hours.

400 ppm Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours.

800 ppm Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes. Unconsciousness within 2 hrs. Death within 2-3 hrs.

1,600 ppm Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hr.

3,200 ppm Headache, dizziness within 5-1 0 minutes. Death within 25-30 minutes.

6,400 ppm Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. Death within 10-15 minutes.


12,800 ppm Death within 1-3 minutes.

Remember low levels of CO could be dangerous for children and the elderly. So do not take chances even if your CO detector shows low levels.

Examples of confined spaces are automobiles, houses, house trailers, campers, closed garages.

CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN LEVELS AND RELATED HEALTH EFFECTS

%COHb                     Effects associated with this COHB level
__________________________________________________
 80                                                     Death

60                             Loss of consciousness (Coma); death if exposure continues

40                                 Confusion; collapse on exercise

30                                 Headache; fatigue; impaired judgment (flu like symptoms)

5-20                                Statistically significant diminution of visual
                                      perception, manual   dexterity, ability to learn, or 
                                   performance in complex sensorimotor tasks (such as driving)

2.9 - 4.5                           Statistically significant decreased exercise capacity,


(i.e., shortened duration of exercise before onset of pain) in victims with angina pectoris and increased duration of angina.

2.3 - 4.3                             Statistically significant decreased (about 3-7%) work
                                           time to exhaustion in exercising healthy men.

How to Choose A

Carbon Monoxide Detector


The American Lung Association recommends that you consider the following when choosing a carbon monoxide detector for your home:

1. Look for products recognized by reputable health and safety organizations.

2. Check that the product is listed under the Underwriter's laboratories Amended Standard UL 2034, effective October 1, 1995.

3. Weigh the benefits of plug-in technology versus models powered by batteries that run out of power and need replacing.

4. Choose a devise that can be immediately reset and self-tested to ensure proper functioning.

5. Select a detector that offers a complete five-year warranty on the sensor

(so that you don't have to purchase expensive replacements) as well as a five-year comprehensive warranty.


Where to Place Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that one detector should be placed in every sleeping area of the home. Also, if possible, to place one on every floor. The average CO detectors range in price from around $35 per detector to about $75 per detector.

Acknowledgment

The Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety wishes to thank Mr. Steve Boyer of the Safety Council of Northeastern Ohio for allowing us to use the above material which he authored.

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