Home Safety

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CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) SAFETY
What everyone needs to know about CO poisoning - the "silent killer"

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

• A colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating toxic gas.

• A combustion byproduct formed by incomplete combustion of carbon based fuel such as oil, propane, natural gas and wood.

• Doesn't stratify, can be located high as well as low in a room (Slightly lighter than air).

• Often referred to as the "Silent Killer".

How is CO produced?

• Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.

• It occurs when there is not enough oxygen mixed with fuel. This is commonly referred to as a "fuel rich mixture".

• All fuel burning appliances have the potential to produce CO in varying concentrations.

• CO can result from improperly vented or malfunctioning combustion appliances such as furnaces, stoves and hot water heaters.

How does CO affect the human body?

• After being inhaled, CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood cells forming carboxyhemoglobin.

• Carboxyhemoglobin (a red blood cell carrying CO instead of oxygen) reduces the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream and affects all major organs.

• Extended exposure to low or brief exposure to high levels of CO will lead to unconsciousness or death.

• Tissue with the highest oxygen needs are most affected by CO including the brain, heart and other large muscles.

• Early signs of CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion.

High risk groups for CO poisoning include:
Infants/Children, pregnant women, people with angina (chest pains), anyone who has trouble breathing, elderly people, individuals with anemic conditions. Remember even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer.

What are some of the common sources of CO in a residence?

• Unvented cooking appliances and wood burning fireplace

• Gas, oil, wood or coal furnace and block chimney

• Water heater

• gas refrigerator

• Gas clothes dryer

• Attached garage

• Barbecue grill

• Pool/spa heaters

• Tobacco smoke

• Ceiling mounted unit heater

• Fuel burning space heaters

What are Some of the visual clues in CO investigation?

• CLUE: Rust, scale, soot or any other deposits on burners, in the heat exchange, in the vent and in any appliance clean out

• CLUE: Loose or disconnected vent/chimney connections

• CLUE: Debris or soot falling from chimney, fireplace or appliance

• CLUE: Moisture on inside of windows. These are just a few clues that will indicate the presence of CO.

How do ventilation problems increase the hazard of CO?

• Weather tight homes, and the increased use of exhaust fans, can create a negative pressure within the home. This can cause CO to be improperly vented.

• Weather tight homes may also have insufficient fresh air to support complete combustion in fuel-operating appliances, thus producing CO.

• Negative pressure conditions and blocked exhaust flues can result in combustion-type appliances spilling out toxic gases (including CO) into the living areas.

• Negative pressure conditions in homes can result in backdrafting of combustion appliances.

• Bathroom and kitchen exhaust equipment can overtake the normal venting process and back draft hazardous gases in the living environment.

• Outside wind and temperature conditions can influence and even jeopardize the combustion appliance venting process.

This Information is provided by the Conditioned Air Association of Georgia (CAAG) and the professionals HVACR contractors at Trinity Air, Inc. If you have any questions about carbon monoxide or your HVAC system, please call these professionals.