Carbon monoxide, also often called CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that’s poisonous to humans. Its toxic effects have been known since prehistoric times and, in accordance with the CDC, greater than 400 Americans die every 12 months from unintentional CO poisoning. And that’s not even counting the 100k+ annual visits to the emergency room, and over 14k hospitalizations.
Although the hazards of carbon monoxide exposure are real and may be life-threatening, CO poisoning is preventable. Recognizing potential risk aspects and symptoms can allow you to catch it in time. Read on to learn what carbon monoxide poisoning is and the way long you must be exposed to its effects for its toxic properties to affect you. For more information on CO detectors, which may prevent from a possible leak, take a take a look at our list for the best home security systems.
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How does carbon monoxide poisoning occur?
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when humans breathe in large amounts of said gas, normally in poorly ventilated spaces. In these conditions, the CO bonds with hemoglobin and prevents oxygen from being absorbed, causing asphyxiation and oxygen deprivation. This process can occur slowly or abruptly, depending on the carbon monoxide concentration within the air.
CO is produced by combustion reactions, which is why prehistoric humans learned not to start out fires in enclosed spaces, because the fumes proved toxic. In modern society, probably the most common producers of CO are cars and fuel-powered machines akin to generators, water heaters, space heaters, power washers and lawnmowers. Using a generator or a charcoal grill indoors can even cause dangerous levels of CO to accumulate.
Carbon monoxide leaks normally happen when certainly one of these machines malfunctions in an enclosed space, which is why some require CO detectors and are installed in well-ventilated areas. Even using a gas stove for too long, for instance, to attempt to warm a room, increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
As we mentioned above, this gas enters the body by respiratory, and probably the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are sometimes confused with other illnesses, like food poisoning or the flu. Common negative effects include dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, light-headedness and headaches. At its worst, it will possibly cause anoxic brain damage if the brain is deprived of oxygen for 4 minutes or longer.
How dangerous CO exposure could also be depends upon several aspects, including your health and activity level. Infants, pregnant people and anybody with a physical condition that limits their ability to make use of oxygen (akin to asthma, heart disease, or emphysema) are at higher risk of being affected by lower concentrations of CO than a healthy adult.
How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning?
The period of time it takes to get carbon monoxide poisoning varies based on the concentration of CO within the air. CO concentration is measured partially per million (ppm), and any quantity above 70 ppm (part per million) can produce symptoms which will require medical attention.
In high concentrations, it will possibly take fewer than five minutes to feel the results of carbon monoxide poisoning. Under lower concentrations, it will possibly take hours so that you can notice any significant discomfort. The World Health Organization recommends that indoor air level for CO be below a mean of 9 ppm for any eight-hour period and 225 ppm for anyone hour period. Keep in mind which you could be poisoned each by a small amount of CO over a protracted time period and by a bigger amount over a shorter period.
In accordance with the National Fire Protection Agency’s Fire Protection Handbook, twentieth Edition, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are as follows, by concentration:
Concentration measured in parts per million (ppm)
Headache, nausea, dizziness
Collapse and unconsciousness
Headache, nausea, dizziness
Headache, nausea, dizziness
Collapse and unconsciousness
Lack of consciousness, danger of death
Immediate physiological effects
Lack of consciousness, danger of death
What to do if you happen to get carbon monoxide poisoning
It’s essential to react quickly if you happen to feel you’ve got been intoxicated by carbon monoxide, immediately moving to a fresh air location outdoors. Be certain that everyone in the house is accounted for and outdoors with you, and call for help from the outdoor location. Wait there until emergency personnel arrive.
CO poisoning is treatable if caught quickly enough, however the danger of losing consciousness in a CO-filled environment is serious and may be fatal.
Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is normally administered in the shape of concentrated doses of oxygen. This helps your body do away with the CO in your bloodstream more quickly. Exposure may be fully reverted with treatment if caught in time.
If you happen to and the people you’re sharing an enclosed space with start feeling flu-like symptoms, consider the potential of a carbon monoxide leak. If you happen to feel you’ve got been exposed to CO poisoning, contact a healthcare skilled immediately.
The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
48 states require that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in homes. Some require them for all recent single- and multi-family dwellings, while others limit the requirement to buildings which have fossil-fuel burning devices. Ideally, they needs to be installed inside 10-15 feet of sleeping rooms and in every level of the house, in addition to other locations as required by the applicable state laws, codes or standards.
Whenever you’re looking into purchasing a carbon monoxide detector, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends on the lookout for ones that meet probably the most current Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard or International Approval Services 6-96 standard. The Commission also recommends having any fuel-burning appliances in the house — akin to furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters — inspected professionally for leaks. And, like all other appliance, detectors themselves needs to be verified periodically (about once a month) to ensure they’re working properly.
Whenever you’re installing a CO detector, ensure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each placement and mounting height. One other good preventative measure is to search out out your local fire department’s number to call in case of a CO leak. If the alarm sounds, ensure to envision for low batteries. If that’s not the difficulty, call the hearth department.
Carbon monoxide poisoning FAQs
What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The 2 commonest symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches and shortness of breath.
What are the three steps in treating someone who’s affected by carbon monoxide poisoning?
The very first thing to do if you happen to suspect you or another person has carbon monoxide poisoning is get into fresh air immediately and call emergency services. On the hospital, treatment may include using an oxygen mask or ventilator to deliver pure oxygen to the body. Severe CO poisoning may require the usage of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which consists of being placed in an oxygen chamber with 2-3 times higher than normal air pressure for a set period of time.
What condition is commonly confused with the early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning?
For the reason that early symptoms of CO poisoning may be so broad, it will possibly be confused with intoxication, the flu, and even seasickness.
How long does it take to get carbon monoxide poisoning?
How long it takes to get carbon monoxide poisoning depends upon various aspects, including the CO concentration, the length of your exposure, and whether you’ve got any underlying conditions.