Book Fair
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas. Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include:
• Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces and woodstoves
• Gas stoves
• Gas dryers
• Charcoal grills
• Lawnmowers, snowblowers and other yard equipment
• Automobiles
Medical Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Once combined with the hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen.
How quickly the carboxyhemoglobin builds up is a factor of the concentration of the gas being inhaled (measured in parts per million or PPM) and the duration of the exposure. Compounding the effects of the exposure is the long half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. Half-life is a measure of how quickly levels return to normal. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin is approximately 5 hours. This means that for a given exposure level, it will take about 5 hours for the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood to drop to half its current level after the exposure is terminated.
Symptoms Associated With a Given Concentration of COHb
• 10% COHb - No symptoms. Heavy smokers can have as much as 9% COHb.
• 15% COHb - Mild headache.
• 25% COHb - Nausea and serious headache. Fairly quick recovery after treatment with oxygen and/or fresh air.
• 30% COHb - Symptoms intensify. Potential for long term effects especially in the case of infants, children, the elderly, victims of heart disease and pregnant women.
• 45% COHb -
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas. Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include:
• Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces and woodstoves
• Gas stoves
• Gas dryers
• Charcoal grills
• Lawnmowers, snowblowers and other yard equipment
• Automobiles
Medical Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Once combined with the hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen.
How quickly the carboxyhemoglobin builds up is a factor of the concentration of the gas being inhaled (measured in parts per million or PPM) and the duration of the exposure. Compounding the effects of the exposure is the long half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood. Half-life is a measure of how quickly levels return to normal. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin is approximately 5 hours. This means that for a given exposure level, it will take about 5 hours for the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood to drop to half its current level after the exposure is terminated.
Symptoms Associated With a Given Concentration of COHb
• 10% COHb - No symptoms. Heavy smokers can have as much as 9% COHb.
• 15% COHb - Mild headache.
• 25% COHb - Nausea and serious headache. Fairly quick recovery after treatment with oxygen and/or fresh air.
• 30% COHb - Symptoms intensify. Potential for long term effects especially in the case of infants, children, the elderly, victims of heart disease and pregnant women.
• 45% COHb -