Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas which can be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene) is burning. An ingestion of carbon monoxide fumes not only prevents oxygen from being used properly by the body, but, also, causes harm to the central nervous system. Persons with existing health problems such as heart and lung disease are especially vulnerable, as are infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

What are some of the sources of carbon monoxide?

The majority of carbon monoxide exposures occur in the winter months and the most common source of residential CO-related poisoning is unvented supplemental heaters. Other common sources of carbon monoxide include the following:

malfunctioning cooking appliances
tobacco smoke
clogged chimney
auto exhaust
malfunctioning water heater
malfunctioning oil, wood, gas, or coal furnaces
malfunctioning gas clothes dryer
wood burning fireplace, decorative fireplace, gas log burner, or any unvented space heater
appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, lack of adequate ventilation, pool/spa heaters, ceiling-mounted heating units
fires

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The following are the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

headache
dizziness
weakness
nausea and vomiting
rapid heartbeat
shortness of breath
seizures
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurry vision
disorientation
loss of consciousness or coma
respiratory failure
death

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may resemble other medical conditions or problems, including the flu or food poisoning. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

First-aid for carbon monoxide poisoning:

If your child or other family members have any symptoms of CO poisoning, stay calm but act quickly.

Leave the area and get fresh air immediately. Turn off the carbon monoxide source, but only if you can do so safely without endangering yourself or others.
Call 911 or your local emergency medical service (EMS).
If someone has stopped breathing, start CPR and do not stop until he/she breathes on his/her own or someone else can take over. If you can, have someone call 911 right away. If you are alone, perform CPR for one minute and then call 911.

Further treatment for carbon monoxide exposure will be determined by your physician. Emergency medical treatment may include oxygen therapy, blood tests, chest x-ray, and a heart and neurological evaluation.

How can you protect against carbon monoxide poisoning?

To protect your family against carbon monoxide poisoning, consider the following:

Have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating season.
Electrical space heaters pose less of a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning than those that burn fuels such as kerosene. However, if you use non-electrical space heaters, only do so in well-ventilated areas.
Do not start or leave running cars, trucks, or other vehicles in an enclosed area.
Do not use portable heaters or lanterns while sleeping in enclosed areas such as tents, campers, and other vehicles. This is especially important at high altitudes, where the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased.

Consult your physician immediately if you suspect that you or a member of your family have experienced carbon monoxide poisoning.

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