Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is it? How does it happen? Ways to prevent it from occurring.
A colorless and odorless gas, carbon monoxide poisoning is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer”. It is difficult to know when being exposed to the deadly gas, as the symptoms are hard to diagnose and can include headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, chest pain and nausea and vomiting. With high enough levels of carbon monoxide exposure, unconsciousness and d--th can result.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is the result of inhalation of carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide molecules adhere very well to hemoglobin, the component of red blood cells that normally carry oxygen throughout the body. Carbon monoxide molecules tend to take up the sites in the hemoglobin where oxygen usually sits. Within a short period of time, sometimes as quick as a couple of breaths, this displacement can lead to an oxygen depleted state where the body suffers from lack of the necessary quantities of oxygen.
Individuals
who are at an increased risk of
falling prey to carbon monoxide
poisoning include babies,
children, seniors, and those
with respiratory problems and
chronic heart disease.
There are many ways to prevent this potentially fatal occurrence.
Many families have made the
choice to install carbon
monoxide detectors in their
homes. When it comes time
to change the batteries in the
smoke detector, change the
carbon monoxide detector
batteries as well. This
simple device is very effective
in detecting even trace amounts
of the deadly gas indoors and
can save lives.
Activities
which may contribute to the
buildup of carbon monoxide
inside the home and which should
always be monitored, inspected
annually and used with caution
include heating the house with a
furnace, gas water heater or a
portable butane or gas heater.
As a word of
warning, never use a fuel or
generator-run appliance in an
enclosed space; this includes
generators, motors, or vehicles.
Many fatalities, both
unintentional and intentional
are the result of a vehicle
running inside of an enclosed
space, usually a garage.
If the garage is attached to the
house, always keep the door
between the two spaces closed
while warming up the car, even
if the garage door is wide open.
Fumes from the warming car can
enter the house and cause
symptoms to appear in animals
and humans.
The summer
boating season is another time
when the number of carbon
monoxide cases increases.
The generators and motors which
power boats can release large
amounts of the deadly gas.
In most boats, carbon monoxide
will most likely accumulate in
specific regions such as any
space where exhaust gas can
become trapped. This may
include the inside of a boat’s
inadequately ventilated canvas,
or in the boat’s cabin.
Ensure that the boat’s exhaust
outlet is never blocked.
Carbon monoxide can also build
up while the boat is moving
slowly, idling or is at a stop.
To prevent the accidental poisoning or even d--th during boating season, keep the following in mind:
-
Keep
passengers away from regions
of the boat where carbon
monoxide can accumulate and
away from exhaust outlets.
-
Always turn off the engine if passengers will be sitting, surfing or swimming on the back side of the boat where the exhaust outlet is located.
-
If a
passenger shows signs of
sickness, get them into
fresh air immediately and
call for medical attention.
And, most importantly, install carbon monoxide detectors and have a yearly Vessel Safety Check.
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Safety tips
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