About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide cannot be seen and has no smell.
It is often referred to as the "silent killer".
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headaches Nausea Dizziness Fatigue Depression.
It is estimated that as many as 1,600 people a year die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. The carbon monoxide concentration is given as a percentage of hemoglobin carrying carbon monoxide. (Carbon monoxide in the blood)
Anytime carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, evacuate the building immediately, seek immediate medical attention.
The appliances will need to be turned off and repaired before re-use and the house will need to be ventilated.
You can not smell carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is measured in parts per million in the air you breath.
0 to 10 Usually no signs.
10 to 20 Headache, angina in heart patients.
20 to 30 Nausea, throbbing headache, irritability, difficulty concentrating.
30 to 40 Severe headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion.
40 to 50 Rapid breathing and heartbeat, fainting.
50 to 60 Respiratory failure (collapse), seizures.
60 to 70 Severe respiratory failure, low blood pressure, fatal coma.
Above 70 Rapidly fatal coma.
Flue pipes connecting furnaces, gas hot water heaters, log stoves and room heaters, should be checked by a heating contractor if you think that there is a problem.
Have them inspected regularly. Flue pipes can have levels of carbon monoxide as high as 400 ppm but should have levels of 25 ppm or less. Levels above 400 ppm in the flue pipe are considered dangerous. A flue pipe should not have equipment from different levels or floors connected into it. Check the angle of the flue pipes in your home. Do they continue to slope upwards ALL the way to the chimney or until they vent out?
Chimneys and flues should be cleaned and/or inspected annually. Neglecting to do this could endanger everyone in the home. Birds or other animals can make nests or get stuck in chimneys and flues blocking them. When this happens; it is possible that carbon monoxide that should have been vented to the outside, invades the home.
RECOMMEND: Installing carbon monoxide detectors near furnaces, gas hot water heaters and log stoves as well as in the bedroom areas.
