Carbon Monoxide Safety Guide
Identify and protect yourself from carbon monoxide
About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas but it cannot be seen, felt,
tasted or smelled. It can cause illness or death. Over one thousand
lives are lost each year because of this deadly gas. The amount
of CO in the air is measured in parts per million. CO occurs when
fuel burns without sufficient oxygen which can happen in any fuel
burning appliance at any time..
Safety Tips
Many CO poisonings are caused by equipment failures due to poor
maintenance, defects or damaged parts. To avoid CO poisoning a
good start is to follow the following list of safety tips and,
of course, install a CO alarm.
- Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected and cleaned yearly
by a qualified technician.
- Clean fireplaces and chimneys regularly.
- Do not cap or cover a draft hood or exhaust pipe from any
appliance.
- Do not close off or confine your fuel burning appliance in
a closed area. They need plenty of ventilation to operate properly
and may generate CO if they lack sufficient air for complete
combustion.
- Do not use propane or charcoal grills indoors.
- Do not operate gasoline powered equipment (for example generators)
indoors.
- Allow plenty of ventilation if you must use a kerosene heater.
Do not use in small areas or bedrooms.
Preventative maintenance, common sense, and CO detection are some
of the best solutions to the CO problem, however, a dangerous
situation can happen to anyone at any time.
Danger Signs
Some of the danger signs of possible CO presence:
- Stuffy stale smelling air.
- Moisture on windows.
- Soot and dirt build up seeping out of chimney or other exhaust
vents.
- A mostly yellow, rather than blue, gas burner flame or pilot
flame.
- A draft of air coming from any appliance or chimney.
- If you have flu like symptoms or suspect CO poisoning seek
medical assistance immediately.
Symptoms
Sensitivity does vary from person to person but even as little
as 20 to 30 parts per million (ppm) of CO in the air will cause
headaches. 30 to 40 ppm causes severe headaches and over 100 ppm
will cause nausea as well if it lasts for more than about 45 minutes
and unconsciousness if it lasts a little longer than that. 150
ppm will cause death within 2 hours. 300 ppm causes death within
30 minutes. 650 ppm will cause severe headaches in less than 2
minutes and death in less than 15 minutes. 1260 ppm is known to
cause death in less than 3 minutes.
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