Carbon Monoxide Gas Overview
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that is produced during incomplete combustion of fuel due to insufficient oxygen. Complete combustion occurs when sufficient oxygen is present and results in the production of carbon dioxide. Most combustion processes (natural or man-made) produce some carbon monoxide.
Uses of Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is used to make other chemicals, including methanol and phosgene. It is also used in some lasers.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen. The most significant source of public exposure to carbon monoxide is cooking or other fuel-burning appliances that are poorly installed, malfunctioning, or used improperly, including insufficient ventilation.
Examples include improperly installed domestic boilers and the use of barbecues and portable generators in homes, caravans and tents. Inhalation of smoke from a house fire may lead to exposure to carbon monoxide.
For smokers, cigarettes are a major source of carbon monoxide. Using a hookah or hookah pipe may also lead to exposure. Exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can occur outdoors as it is produced by vehicle exhaust and industrial processes.
The human body also naturally produces very small amounts of carbon monoxide, but this is not associated with health problems.
Workers may be exposed to carbon monoxide (such as those using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or gasoline-powered equipment in enclosed spaces). However, to protect workers, safe exposure levels are enforced. These levels are lower than levels thought to cause harmful effects.
How Exposure to Carbon Monoxide Affects Your Health
When inhaled, carbon monoxide passes through the lungs into the bloodstream and attaches to the body's oxygen carrier hemoglobin. This reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried around the body.
Brief exposure to small amounts of carbon monoxide may cause headache, flushing, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, muscle pain, or personality changes. Exposure to higher amounts may cause movement problems, weakness, confusion, lung and heart problems, loss of consciousness, and death.
Prolonged exposure to small amounts of carbon monoxide may cause flu-like symptoms, including tiredness, headache, nausea, dizziness, personality changes, memory problems, vision loss, and dementia. It can be difficult to distinguish the effects of long-term exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide from other common diseases.
Susceptible Population
People with medical conditions that affect the delivery of oxygen to the heart or brain, such as those with coronary heart disease, angina, asthma or anemia, are especially at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart or brain is further increased. reduced by carbon monoxide.
Children, pregnant women (see above) and the elderly are more vulnerable to carbon monoxide exposure. Altitude, activity, current and previous exposure to carbon monoxide may also affect a person's susceptibility to the negative effects of carbon monoxide.
Pregnancy and Unborn Child
During pregnancy, exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the baby in the womb, potentially affecting growth and development.
Children
Children may be more sensitive than adults to the harmful effects of carbon monoxide.
What to Do if You are Exposed to Carbon Monoxide
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you think there is a leak (unlighted gas does not contain carbon monoxide):
Stop using all electrical appliances and evacuate the property immediately (try to stay calm and avoid raising your heart rate)
Call emergency services to report an incident
Do not return to the property (waiting for advice from emergency services)
Get medical help right away
How to protect yourself from carbon monoxide
When using cooking and heating appliance, it is important to ensure that you have adequate ventilation, so chimneys and flues should be kept clean and not clogged.
Installing a standard-compliant carbon monoxide audible alarm will help protect you from high levels of carbon monoxide.
If you are exposed to low levels of carbon monoxide, the alarm will not go off, so it should not be used as a substitute for regularly servicing appliances. You can buy carbon monoxide alarms from a DIY or hardware store.
