Facts for life

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Properties of Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas.

• It is toxic to most forms of life.• It is about 3% lighter than air.

Production of Carbon Monoxide

• When carbon compounds are burned in limited oxygen CO instead of CO2 is formed.

2C + O2 (limited) = 2CO

Carbon Monoxide Formation

• This can happen in your home – especially if the gas fires or heating boilers are not serviced regularly

• Car exhausts produce CO – especially if the engine is not efficient (never switch on the engine just to keep warm, especially if the car is in an enclosed space).

• Cigarettes produce CO

Haemoglobin

• The haemoglobin carry oxygen in the blood.

• When oxygen has been ‘delivered’ the blood cells are free to collect and deliver more

Carboxy-haemoglobin

• If CO is absorbed by the haemoglobin they become carboxy-haemoglobin.

• Carboxy-haemoglobin cannot release the CO molecule, and the haemoglobin that has absorbed the carbon monoxide cannot therefore carry oxygen around the body any more.

Bright pink blood!

• Carboxy-haemoglobin are bright pink.

• They reduce the oxygen that gets carried around the body and make the person suffocate.

• A person dying of CO poisoning is very flushed – has a bright pink complexion!

Smokers

• Smokers can have up to 10% carboxy-haemoglobin in their blood from cigarette CO inhalation alone – giving them a headstart on getting a lethal dose from faulty appliances.

• It reduces the oxygen getting to major organs - including the brain…

Smokers

• Carbon Monoxide is just as dangerous in cigarettes as it is an individual gas.

• In fact, it has basically the same effects, only over a long period of time.

Smokers

• When smoking, Carbon Monoxide is inhaled with tar, nicotine, and many other small bits of toxins.

• When it enters through the mouth, it spreads quickly throughout your body and skin.

• There, it combines with haemoglobin in the blood, preventing absorption of oxygen.

Smokers

• Lack of oxygen causes smokers to run out of breath quickly and fatigue.

• Carbon Monoxide also travels to the heart and lungs.

• It seeps into tiny pores around them, making it a major factor in lung cancer and heart disease.

Symptoms of CO poisoning

• Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Some of the symptoms are the following.– Shortness of breath – Mild nausea – Mild headaches

Symptoms of CO poisoning

• Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following symptoms persist for a long measure of time.– Headaches – Dizziness – Nausea – Light-headedness

• High levels of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes.

Treatment of CO poisoning

• Get the victim into fresh air immediately. • If you can not get the people out of the

house, then open all windows and doors. • Any combustion appliances should be

turned off. • Take those who were subjected to carbon

monoxide to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. A simple blood test will be able to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred. They will require a transfusion.

Detection of CO in the home

• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.

• Or use a chemical detector – take care to replace it regularly.

Safety Tips• Have gas appliances checked regularly• Use a detector in the home• Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t

vented properly• Never heat your house with a gas oven.• Never run a generator in an enclosed space (like your

basement) or outside a window where the exhaust could blow indoors

• Don’t warm your car up in a closed garage. • If your garage is attached to your house, close the door

to the house even if you open the garage door while you warm up the car.

• When it snows, be sure to clear any snow out of your car’s exhaust pipe — if the pipe is blocked exhaust gases can back up inside your car.