Carbon
Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide is an
odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal when breathed. Symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu and allergies, and therefore
often go undetected. Low levels can cause nausea, dizziness, weakness, and
muscle ache. Higher doses can impair judgment, cause paralysis or coma,
and death.
Carbon monoxide can build up in your
home from a number of sources, including:
-
Flues or chimneys that become blocked, thus preventing exhaust gases from
being vented to the outside.
-
Fuel-burning furnaces with cracked or rusted heat exchanges,
allowing combustion gases into the living spaces.
-
Fuel-burning space heaters, ovens, ranges, or grills operated in the
home without adequate ventilation.
-
Car exhaust from an attached garage that enters the home.
-
Combustion equipment that is not working properly and causes
incomplete combustion.
-
Negative pressure balance between the inside and outside of the
home, preventing adequate venting of combustion gases.
Dangerous levels of CO gas build up,
usually because the exhaust of combustion appliances is not properly
vented, or when combustion equipment is not in good working order and is
not regularly inspected for safe operation.
What
can you do to protect you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning?*
-
Buy a carbon monoxide detector (see informational box below).
-
Never
use un-vented combustion appliances indoors.
-
Regularly have your combustion appliances inspected by a trained professional. Such
inspectors should look for blocked openings to flues and chimneys;
cracked or disconnected flue pipe; signs of soot around openings in your
furnace or boiler; rust or cracks in the heat exchanger; soot or creosote
build-up; and exhaust or gas odors.
-
Make sure combustion equipment is installed correctly and used
only for intended purpose.
Here
are some general points to consider before buying a CO alarm:
-
Some inexpensive alarms consist of a card with a spot
("spot" detectors) that changes color in the presence of CO.
The absence of an audible signal does not meet UL or IAS requirements
for alarms; these devices do not provide adequate warning of CO.
-
CO alarms are a backup (NOT a replacement) for regular heater
maintenance!
-
Battery-operated alarms are portable and will function during a
power failure, which is when emergency heating might be used.
Batteries must be replaced, although some alarms have long-life
batteries that will last up to five years.
-
Line-powered alarms (110 volt) require electrical outlets, but do
not need batteries. They will not function during a power failure.
Some line-powered alarms have battery backups
-
Alarms with memories can help
document and correct CO problems.
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Source:
Montana State
University (MSU).
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