Carbon Monoxide - Part 2 Carbon Monoxide Concerns > What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the home?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquified petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO. Burning charcoal produces CO. Running cars produce CO.
> How many people are unintentionally poisoned by CO?
Every year, over 200 people in the United States die from CO produced by fuel-burning appliances (boilers, furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters). Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached garages. Several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment for CO poisoning.
> What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include: >> Headache
>> Fatigue
>> Shortness of breath
>> Nausea
>> Dizziness
Many people with CO poisoning mistake their symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed by physicians, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.
> What should you do to prevent CO poisoning?
Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals. Have the heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
>> Install a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard 2034 or the requirements of the IAS 6-96 standard. A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the detector cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
>> Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
>> Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
>> Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
>> Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills, and tools. Always refer to the owner's manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning appliances.
>> Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.
>> Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.
>> Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors. If use is unavoidable, ensure that adequate ventilation is available and whenever possible place engine unit to exhaust outdoors.
> What CO level is dangerous to your health?
The health effects of CO depend on the level of CO and length of exposure, as well as each individual's health condition. The concentration of CO is measured in parts per million (ppm). Health effects from exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm are uncertain, but most people will not experience any symptoms. Some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain. As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms may become more noticeable (headache, fatigue, nausea). As CO levels increase above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
> What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning?
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call your fire department and report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified serviceperson checks them for malfunction.
> What has changed in CO detectors/alarms recently?
CO detectors/alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The UL standard 2034 (1998 revision) has stricter requirements that the detector/alarm must meet before it can sound. As a result, the possibility of nuisance alarms is decreased.
> What should you do when the CO detector/alarm sounds?
Never ignore an alarming CO detector/alarm. If the detector/alarm sounds: Operate the reset button. Call your emergency services (fire department or 911). Immediately move to fresh air -- outdoors or by an open door/window.
> How should a consumer test a CO detector/alarm to make sure it is working?
Consumers should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a test button, some detectors/alarms test whether the circuitry as well as the sensor which senses CO is working, while the test button on other detectors only tests whether the circuitry is working. For those units which test the circuitry only, some manufacturers sell separate test kits to help the consumer test the CO sensor inside the alarm.
> What is the role of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in preventing CO poisoning?
CPSC worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help develop the safety standard (UL 2034) for CO detectors/alarms. CPSC helps promote carbon monoxide safety awareness to raise awareness of CO hazards and the need for regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances. CPSC recommends that every home have a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent UL standard 2034 or the IAS 6-96 standard in the hallway near every separate sleeping area. CPSC also works with industry to develop voluntary and mandatory standards for fuel-burning appliances.
> Do some cities require that CO detectors/alarms be installed?
On September 15, 1993 , Chicago , Illinois became one of the first cities in the nation to adopt an ordinance requiring, effective October 1, 1994 , the installation of CO detectors/alarms in all new single-family homes and in existing single-family residences that have new oil or gas furnaces. Several other cities also require CO detectors/alarms in apartment buildings and single-family dwellings.
> Should CO detectors/alarms be used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles?
CO detectors/alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO detectors/alarms in motor homes and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.
Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning > Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly
You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be safe. Practice the DO’s and DON’Ts of carbon monoxide. > CO Poisoning Symptoms
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause.
> Play it Safe
If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning:
>> DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.
>> DO GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure.
>> DO Be prepared to answer the following questions for the doctor: - Do your symptoms occur only in the house?
- Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home and reappear when you return?
- Is anyone else in your household complaining of similar symptoms?
- Did everyone’s symptoms appear about the same time? · Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in the home?
- Has anyone inspected your appliances lately?
- Are you certain they are working properly?
> Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
>> DO have your fuel-burning appliances -- including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves -- inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked.
>> DO choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers’ instructions.
>> DO read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device. If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the cautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning.
>> DO call EPA’s IAQ INFO Clearinghouse (1-800-438-4318) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission (1-800-638-2772) for more information on how to reduce your risks from CO and other combustion gases and particles. >> DON’T idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
>> DON’T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
>> DON’T ever use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace.
>> DON'T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
>> DON’T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
>> DON’T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.
> A Few Words About CO Detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available in stores and you may want to consider buying one as a back-up -- BUT NOT AS A REPLACEMENT for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. However, it is important for you to know that the technology of CO detectors is still developing, that there are several types on the market, and that they are not generally considered to be as reliable as the smoke detectors found in homes today. Some CO detectors have been laboratory-tested, and their performance varied. Some performed well, others failed to alarm even at very high CO levels, and still others alarmed even at very low levels that don’t pose any immediate health risk. And unlike a smoke detector, where you can easily confirm the cause of the alarm, CO is invisible and odorless, so it’s harder to tell if an alarm is false or a real emergency.
So What’s a Consumer to Do? First, don’t let buying a CO detector lull you into a false sense of security. Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm. Follow the checklist of DOs and DON’Ts.
Second, if you shop for a CO detector, do some research on features and don’t select solely on the basis of cost. Non-governmental organizations such as Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports), the American Gas Association, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) can help you make an informed decision. Look for UL certification on any detector you purchase. Carefully follow manufacturers’ instructions for its placement, use, and maintenance. If the CO detector alarm goes off: >> Make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector.
>> Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of poisoning.
>> If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the doctor that you suspect CO poisoning.
>> If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air, turn off all potential sources of CO -- your oil or gas furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater and any vehicle or small engine.
>> Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to make sure they are operating correctly and that there is nothing blocking the fumes from being vented out of the house.
Checklist to Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is often referred to as CO, which is its chemical symbol. Unlike many gases, CO has no odor, color, or taste, and it doesn't irritate your skin. Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in your blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into your body, which can damage tissues in your body and can kill you. Knowing where CO is found and how to avoid it can protect you from serious injury or death. 
| Figure 3: Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in your blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into your body, which can damage tissues in your body and can kill you. |
Test your Carbon Monoxide knowledge with the following interactive quizzes and review Figure 4. > The Home, Cabin, and Camper
Most questions will apply equally to homeowners, campers, and renters. Renters should ask their landlords about maintenance and repairs.
>> How often should I have my fireplace draft and the drafts of other fuel-burning appliances checked? Every year. Have all fuel-burning venting systems in your home checked by an expert every year.
>> How often should my gas appliances be checked? Every year. Have all gas appliances checked every year. Your gas company may be willing to do this for you.
>> Do all gas appliances need to be vented? Yes. All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
>> How often should my chimney vent be checked for defects or debris? Every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin. Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year.
>> Is it okay to patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else? No. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
>> Should the horizontal vent pipes to my fuel appliances be perfectly level? No. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes aren't fitted tightly.
>> Should I use my gas range or oven for heating? No. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
>> Is it normal for the cooling unit of my gas refrigerator give off an odor? No. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO. If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit you should have an expert service it.
>> Should I use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors? No. Using a grill indoors will cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper unless you use it inside a vented fireplace.
>> Should I burn charcoal indoors? No. Burning charcoal--red, gray, black, or white-- gives off CO.
>> Are portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) safe to use indoors? No. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
>> Should I use a portable gas camp stove indoors? No. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper. > Your Car or Truck
>> How often should I have a mechanic check the exhaust system of my car? Every year. A small leak in your car's exhaust system can lead to a build up of CO inside the car.
>> Is it okay to run my car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut? No. CO can build up quickly while your car or truck is running an a closed garage. Never run your car in a garage unless the outside door is open to let in fresh air.
>> Do I need to leave the door closed between my attached garage and my house when I run my car or truck in the garage? Yes. CO can easily go from your garage through the door that opens into your house, even if your garage door is open to let in fresh air. Keep the door connecting your garage to your house closed when your car or truck is running in your garage.
>> I drive a station wagon. Should I lower the tailgate to get more air in the car? If you open the tailgate, you also need to open vents or windows to make sure air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open CO from the exhaust will be pulled into the car. > Appliances
>> When I choose gas equipment, how do I know what's safe? Buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or the Underwriters Laboratory.
>> How hard is it to convert a fuel burner from one fuel to another? It can be very hard to do this safely. You need to have an expert make the right changes and check whether the burner is venting correctly. 
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| Figure 4: Carbon Monoxide is produced by fuel-burning appliances which MUST be checked every year! |
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