Frequent Questions About the Colorless, Odorless Gas
The Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides answers to some commonly asked questions about carbon monoxide poisoning.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and potentially deadly gas which is produced as a byproduct of combustion. It is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the US, causing 3,500-4,000 deaths per year. Approximately two-thirds of these deaths occur among fire victims; the remaining one-third result from accidental carbon monoxide poisonings.
What Are Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide Emissions in the Home?
Any fuel source that is not burned or combusted properly or is not venting properly is a possible source of carbon monoxide. This includes:
- Automobiles or lawn mower equipment running in an attached garage or not exhausting properly
- Gas, oil or kerosene space heaters
- Gas furnaces, ovens, clothes dryers and other gas appliances not burning fuel / venting properly
- Wood burning stoves or fireplaces not venting properly
- Gas grills outside the home leaking fumes into an open window
- Charcoal broilers not venting properly
How Does Carbon Monoxide Build Up in the Home?
Under normal circumstances, carbon monoxide safely exits the home through vents, flues or chimneys. However, sometimes air pressure changes outside the home or malfunctioning appliances can cause carbon monoxide exhaust gas to remain in the home.
A clogged chimney flue (e.g., with a bird's nest) or improperly installed appliances or vents can also keep carbon monoxide from escaping.
Why is Carbon Monoxide So Dangerous?
A buildup of carbon monoxide interferes with the body's ability to carry oxygen to various tissues and organs. When a person breathes carbon monoxide, the gas binds to hemoglobin (the main part of red blood cells), thereby displacing oxygen, hemoglobin's normal partner.
Carbon monoxide also has other toxic effects that can temporarily or permanently damage the brain. How quickly symptoms appear depends upon the concentration, or parts per million (PPM) of carbon monoxide in the air and the duration of exposure. A person's size, age and general health are also factors in how quickly effects of carbon monoxide will be evident.
Carbon monoxide poisoning presents additional concerns in infants, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with a history of heart and / or lung disease. Carbon monoxide is most toxic to the organs which require the most oxygen, namely the heart and brain.
