1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Facts for life
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

2. Properties of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas.
It is toxic to most forms of life.
It is about 3% lighter than air.

3. Production of Carbon Monoxide
When carbon compounds are burned in limited oxygen CO instead of CO2 is formed.
2C + O2 (limited) = 2CO

4. Carbon Monoxide Formation
This can happen in your home – especially if the gas fires or heating boilers are not serviced regularly
Car exhausts produce CO – especially if the engine is not efficient (never switch on the engine just to keep warm, especially if the car is in an enclosed space).
Cigarettes produce CO

5. Haemoglobin The haemoglobin carry oxygen in the blood.
When oxygen has been ‘delivered’ the blood cells are free to collect and deliver more

6. Carboxy-haemoglobin
If CO is absorbed by the haemoglobin they become carboxy-haemoglobin.
Carboxy-haemoglobin cannot release the CO molecule, and the haemoglobin that has absorbed the carbon monoxide cannot therefore carry oxygen around the body any more.

7. Bright pink blood! Carboxy-haemoglobin are bright pink.
They reduce the oxygen that gets carried around the body and make the person suffocate.
A person dying of CO poisoning is very flushed – has a bright pink complexion!

8. Smokers
Smokers can have up to 10% carboxy-haemoglobin in their blood from cigarette CO inhalation alone – giving them a headstart on getting a lethal dose from faulty appliances.
It reduces the oxygen getting to major organs - including the brain…

9. Smokers
Carbon Monoxide is just as dangerous in cigarettes as it is an individual gas.
In fact, it has basically the same effects, only over a long period of time.

10. Smokers
When smoking, Carbon Monoxide is inhaled with tar, nicotine, and many other small bits of toxins.
When it enters through the mouth, it spreads quickly throughout your body and skin.
There, it combines with haemoglobin in the blood, preventing absorption of oxygen.

11. Smokers
Lack of oxygen causes smokers to run out of breath quickly and fatigue.
Carbon Monoxide also travels to the heart and lungs.
It seeps into tiny pores around them, making it a major factor in lung cancer and heart disease.

12. Symptoms of CO poisoning
Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Some of the symptoms are the following.
Shortness of breath
Mild nausea
Mild headaches

13. Symptoms of CO poisoning
Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following symptoms persist for a long measure of time.
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Light-headedness
High levels of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes.

14. Treatment of CO poisoning
Get the victim into fresh air immediately.
If you can not get the people out of the house, then open all windows and doors.
Any combustion appliances should be turned off.
Take those who were subjected to carbon monoxide to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. A simple blood test will be able to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred. They will require a transfusion.

15. Detection of CO in the home
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.
Or use a chemical detector – take care to replace it regularly.

16. Safety Tips Have gas appliances checked regularly
Use a detector in the home
Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented properly
Never heat your house with a gas oven.
Never run a generator in an enclosed space (like your basement) or outside a window where the exhaust could blow indoors
Don’t warm your car up in a closed garage.
If your garage is attached to your house, close the door to the house even if you open the garage door while you warm up the car.
When it snows, be sure to clear any snow out of your car’s exhaust pipe — if the pipe is blocked exhaust gases can back up inside your car.