Carbon Monoxide and the Human Body

Carbon monoxide (CO) is sometimes referred to as the "silent killer". Every year in
the UK, over 200 people go to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning,
which leads to around 40 deaths.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to
see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your
home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken
for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea
and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person
depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure
CO is a common industrial hazard resulting from the incomplete burning of natural
gas and any other material containing carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil,
propane, coal, or wood. Forges, blast furnaces and coke ovens produce CO, but one
of the most common sources of exposure in the workplace is the internal
combustion engine.
Source of carbon monoxide
Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; backdrafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves;
generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from
attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in
gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of
CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g.,
boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized,
blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached
garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source.
Health Effects Associated with Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the
blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. Large
amounts of CO can overcome you in minutes without warningcausing you to lose
consciousness and suffocate.
Besides tightness across the chest, initial symptoms of CO poisoning may include
headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. Sudden chest pain may occur
in people with angina. During prolonged or high exposures, symptoms may worsen
and include vomiting, confusion, and collapse in addition to loss of consciousness
and muscle weakness. Symptoms vary widely from person to person. CO poisoning
may occur sooner in those most susceptible: young children, elderly people, people
with lung or heart disease, people at high altitudes, or those who already have
elevated CO blood levels, such as smokers. Also, CO poisoning poses a special risk
to fetuses.
CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute
poisoning may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body that require a

lot of oxygen such as the heart and brain. Significant reproductive risk is also linked
to CO.
Exposure Limits
Exposure to CO can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. People with
several types of heart disease already have a reduced capacity for pumping
oxygenated blood to the heart, which can cause them to experience myocardial
ischemia (reduced oxygen to the heart), often accompanied by chest pain (angina),
when exercising or under increased stress. For these people, short-term CO
exposure further affects their bodys already compromised ability to respond to the
increased oxygen demands of exercise or exertion.
[OSHA PEL] The current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
permissible exposure limit (PEL) for carbon monoxide is 50 parts per million (ppm)
parts of air (55 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m(3))) as an 8-hour time-weighted
average (TWA) concentration [29 CFR Table Z-1].
[NIOSH REL] The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has
established a recommended exposure limit (REL) for carbon monoxide of 35 ppm
(40 mg/m(3)) as an 8-hour TWA and 200 ppm (229 mg/m(3)) as a ceiling [NIOSH
1992]. The NIOSH limit is based on the risk of cardiovascular effects.
[ACGIH TLV] The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH) has assigned carbon monoxide a threshold limit value (TLV) of 25 ppm (29
mg/m(3)) as a TWA for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek [ACGIH
1994, p. 15]. The ACGIH limit is based on the risk of elevated carboxyhemoglobin
levels [ACGIH 1991, p. 229].
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly
adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in
vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure
when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
ALERT: Put generators outside.
Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas.
Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger
for hours, even after the generator has shut off.

Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.

Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.

Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.

Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.

Open flues when fireplaces are in use.

Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission
standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.

Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system
(furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
Do not idle the car inside garage.

Risk groups
Carbon monoxide is a danger to everyone, but certain groups are more vulnerable.
These include:

babies and young children

pregnant women

people with chronic heart disease

people with respiratory problems, such as asthma

Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning

The best way of protecting you and your family is to be aware of the dangers and
identify any appliances in your house that could potentially leak carbon monoxide.
You should install a carbon monoxide alarm, as this will detect a leak in your home
and give out a high-pitched noise when gas levels are high. They are available from
DIY and hardware stores. However, alarms are not a substitute for maintaining and
regularly servicing household appliances.
http://www.epa.gov/oar/carbonmonoxide/health.html
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/pages/introduction.aspx
U.S.
Department
of
Labor
Occupational
Safety
Administration.2002.Carbon Monoxide Poisonning.United State

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Health