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Protect Yourself From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
By homejack | April 6, 2008
By: Homejack
The Journal of the American Medical Association states that the leading cause for deaths by accidental poisoning is from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is formed by an incomplete combustion of substances such as wood, propane or natural gas, charcoal, gasoline, or kerosene.
The big problem is that it is an invisible, ordorless and tasteless gas.
While vehicles cause most carbon monoxide poisoning, flame-fueled units in the home also produce the gas. These include open flames from stoves and ovens, which are the most common.
Also guilty are grills, dryers, space heaters and fireplaces. If furnaces and water heaters are properly vented, their gas is released outside.
Inhaled carbon monoxide goes from the lungs into the red blood cells. Here it binds to hemoglobin and forms carboxyhemoglobin. This interferes with oxygen transport that results in an oxygen-starved body. The result can be tissue damage and even death.
What to do? Make sure all flame-fueled appliances are properly adjusted and vented, and . . . . .
Install a carbon monoxide detector. Place at least one on every floor of the home near the sleeping area. A detector will sound an alarm before the potentially deadly gas presents a hazard to most healthy adults.
The gas affects some people more than others. At greater risk are
the elderly, those with respiratory and circulatory problems, pregnant women, children and babies.
Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Gas Poisoning
Inhaled carbon monoxide goes from the lungs into the red blood cells. Here it binds to hemoglobin and forms carboxyhemoglobin. This interferes with oxygen transport that results in an oxygen-starved body. The result can be tissue damage and even death.
Low levels of poisoning from the gas produce symptoms much like those from the flu or a cold. Mild headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath from just a little exertion are common factors.
As higher levels are inhaled, expect nausea, mental confusion, dizziness and severe headaches. Even mild exertion can cause fainting.
Past this, the poisoning causes unconsciousness, permanent damage of the brain and even death.
Get serious. Get a detector. Learn how to identity the features needed and properly choose a model for the ages of the residents in your home. Learn how to properly install it, and how to maintain the detector. Finally, know what actions to take if the detector alarm sounds.
Topics: Safety |