(no subject)
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Table of Contents· Definition · Sources of Carbon Monoxide · Health Effects Associated with Carbon Monoxide · Levels in Homes · Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide · Carbon Monoxide - from the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit - IAQ Coordinator's Guide · Additional Resources · Links to Additional Informationo About Carbon Monoxide Detectors o U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Carbon Monoxide Warning o Portable Generators · Publications DefinitionColorless gas or liquid; practically odorless. Burns with a violet flame. Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and benzene. Specific gravity 0.96716; boiling point -190oC; solidification point -207oC; specific volume 13.8 cu. ft./lb. (70oF). Auto ignition temperature (liquid) 1128oF. Classed as an inorganic compound.Source: "The Condensed Chemical Dictionary," 9th ed., revised by Gessner G. Hawley, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., NY, 1977. Top of page Sources of Carbon MonoxideUnvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke.Top of page Health Effects Associated with Carbon MonoxideAt low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations.Top of page Levels in HomesAverage levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.Top of page Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide· Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. · Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one. · Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. · Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves. · Open flues when fireplaces are in use. · Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly. · Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. · Do not idle the car inside garage. Top of page Carbon Monoxide - from the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit - IAQ Coordinator's Guide www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guidee.htmlDescription Sources Standards or Guidelines
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source. No standards for CO have been agreed upon for indoor air. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air are 9 ppm (40,000 micrograms per meter cubed) for 8 hours, and 35 ppm for 1 hour.
Health Effects Measurement Methods Control Measures
Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal. Some relatively high-cost infrared radiation adsorption and electrochemical instruments do exist. Moderately priced real-time measuring devices are also available. A passive monitor is currently under development. It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
Top of page Additional ResourcesTo report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. Consumer can obtain recall information at CPSC's web site - www.cpsc.gov Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov Top of page Links to Additional InformationOffice of Air and Radiation page - "CO - How Carbon Monoxide Affects the Way We Live and Breathe"Office of Research and Development:· Carbon Monoxide and the Nervous System. Raub, J. A., and V. A. Benignus. Carbon Monoxide and the Nervous System. NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS 26(8):925-940, (2002). · Carbon Monoxide Poisoining - A Public Health Perspective. Raub, J. A., M. Mathieunolf, N. B. Hampson, and S. R. Thom. Carbon Monoxide Poinsoning--a Public Health Perspective. TOXICOLOGY (145):1-14, (2000). · Revised Evaluation of Health Effects Associated With Carbon Monoxide Exposure: An Addendum to the 1979 EPA Air Quality Criteria Document for Carbon Monoxide Benignus, V., L. Grant, D. Mckee, and J. Raub. Revised Evaluation of Health Effects Associated With Carbon Monoxide Exposure: An Addendum to the 1979 EPA Air Quality Criteria Document for Carbon Monoxide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/8-83/033F (NTIS PB85103471). National Center for Environmental HealthAir and Respiratory Health BranchCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)"Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" (in English and Spanish) - www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/carbonmonoxide.asp "Checklist for Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" - www.cdc.gov/co/checklist.htm U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionOffice of Information and Public AffairsWashington, D.C. 20207Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers (CPSC document #466) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, you can go to CPSC's forms page - www.cpsc.gov/talk.html and use the first on-line form on that page. Or, you can call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or send the information to info@cpsc.gov."Your Home Fire Safety Checklist" (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/556.html ) - CPSC CPSC Recommends Carbon Monoxide Alarm for Every Home (January 18, 2001 CPSC Release # 01-069)The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CPSC also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel- burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks. CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard or International Approval Services 6-96 standard. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01069.html American Lung Association Fact Sheet on Carbon Monoxidewww.lungusa.org/air/carbon_factsheet99.html Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Fact Sheet on Carbon Monoxide (a pdf file)www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health"Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html About Carbon Monoxide DetectorsUnderwriters' Laboratory - Product Safety Tips - Carbon Monoxide Alarms - www.ul.com/consumers/co.html About Your House - Carbon Monoxide, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_ce25.cfm About.com "What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide Detectors" www.chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa092202a.htm U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Carbon Monoxide Warning www.uscgboating.org/alerts/alertsview.aspx?id=8 Portable GeneratorsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -Safety Alert:Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.html Also PDF versions in English and Spanish. Top of page PublicationsProtect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, October 1996 (402-F-96-005)Discusses health hazards associated with exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, faintness, and, at high levels, death. Provides guidance on what to do if you think you are suffering from CO poisoning and what to do to prevent exposure to CO. Also included is a brief discussion about carbon monoxide detectors.Proteja su vida y la de su familia evitando el envenenamiento con monóxido de carbono (ref. # 402-F-97-004)This fact sheet has also been translated into Vietnamese (ref. # 402-F-96-005C), Chinese (ref. # 402-F-96-005A), and Korean (ref. # 402-F-96-005B). To get copies of any of these, contact IAQINFO at 1-800-438-4318.ALERT!! Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools. (1996)This joint alert from NIOSH, CDPHE, CPSC, OSHA and EPA warns that people using gasoline-powered tools such as high-pressure washers, concrete cutting saws (walk-behind/hand-held), power trowels, floor buffers, welders, pumps, compressors, and generators in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces have been poisoned by Carbon Monoxide. Recommendations for preventing CO poisoning are provided for employers, equipment users, tool rental agencies, and tool manufacturers.Single copies of the Alert [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118] are available for free from: Publication Dissemination, IED, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226fax number: (513) 533-8573, phone number: 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)e-mail: pubstaft@niosdt1.em.cdc.gov The "Invisible" Killer (CPSC Document #464)Prepared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, this leaflet describes symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, sources of carbon monoxide in the home, and actions that can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. PDF version of this brochure - www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/464.pdf [En Español] Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet (CPSC Document #466)Discusses carbon monoxide (CO) hazards; and prevention and detection of dangerous CO levels. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html [En Español] What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution (CPSC Document #452)This booklet answers some common questions you may have about the potential for one specific type of hazard - indoor air pollution - associated with one class of appliances - combustion appliances. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/452.html Responding to Residential Carbon Monoxide Incidents , July 23, 2002 (CPSC Publication)Guidelines for first reponders to residential carbon monoxide incidents www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia04/os/resident.pdf Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Camping Equipment (CPSC Document #5008)Safety Alert: Discusses carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and explains how C0 can cause CO poisoning from camping equipment such as portable camping heaters, lanterns, stoves inside tents, campers and vehicles. Provides steps to take to prevent such poisonings and how to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5008.html Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives (CPSC Document #5010)Safety Alert: Discusses how (CO) detectors can save your life describes the symptoms of CO poisoning. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5010.html Deaths From Burning Charcoal in Homes, Vehicles, and Tents (CPSC Document #5012)Safety Alert: Discusses the hazards of carbon monoxide, which causes 25 deaths from carbon monoxide each year in these environments. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5012.html Other CPSC Indoor Air Quality Publications - www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/iaq.html Top of page
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cofacts.asp
Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency
Español (Spanish) | (Vietnamese) | Français (French)
Kreyol (Haitian Creole) | Deutsch (German) | Português (Portuguese)
Download PDF version formatted for print (94 KB/1 page)
Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper-or even outside near an open window.
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it. When power outages occur during emergencies such as hurricanes or winter storms, you may try to use alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking. CO from these sources can build up in your home, garage, or camper and poison the people and animals inside.
If you are too hot or too cold, or you need to prepare food, don't put yourself and your family at risk-look to friends or a community shelter for help. If you must use an alternative source of fuel or electricity, be sure to use it only outside and away from open windows.
Every year, more than 500 people die from accidental CO poisoning. CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO in an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
How to Recognize CO Poisoning
Exposure to CO can cause loss of consciousness and death. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms. If you think you may have CO poisoning, consult a health care professional right away.
Important Tips
· Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.
· Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
· Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.
· Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine outside an open window or door where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
· Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
Additional resources on carbon monoxide poisoning
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Questions and Answers about Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Guidelines
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Public Service Announcements
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Page last modified January 5, 2005
http://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/Home/CO/coinfo.html
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly gas! When exposed to, CO inhibits your blood's capacity to carry oxygen throughout the body, actually suffocating your tissues and organs. CO can escape into your home's air through a faulty furnace, wood-burning stove, range, water heater, fireplace, or any device that burns combustible fuel.
What are the symptoms? Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can often be confused with flu symptoms but can become much more serious. They include:
· Headache
· Fatigue
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Irregular breathing
· Mental confusion
· Unconsciousness
· Ultimately death
What is the Solution? The key to protecting yourself and your family is prevention and the use of a quality carbon monoxide detector. Prevention is always the first and foremost important step to protecting your family from CO poisoning, but sometimes prevention tactics don't always prevent a problem. Thus, having the life-saving backup of a reliable, quality CO detector is extremely important. It can warn your family when nothing else will save them.
Where should I install a CO detector and how many? CO detectors should be installed near bedrooms, and homes with more than one living level should have at least one detector on each level. CO detectors should be installed between outlet level and 6-7 feet high. CO Detectors should not be installed in garages, kitchens, furnace rooms or humid areas. Appliances in these areas can cause a detector to emit false alarms.
Always install detectors at least 15 feet away from a furnace or gas appliance and avoid installing detectors close to a fan, swamp cooler or other fresh or turbulent air sources as this may deter the unit from taking accurate readings.
Practice Prevention! Prevention can be both easy and life-saving. Remember to follow these steps:
· Have your furnace and heating system inspected and serviced annually.
· Never run an automobile in the garage or any other type of enclosed space.
· Have your chimney and flu cleaned professionally.
· Make sure that the burner flames on your furnace and stove burn blue, not yellow-orange, and never use your gas range or oven for heating.
· Never use grills or hibachis inside your home.
· Never operate gas burning appliances in a closed room.
Remember: Carbon Monoxide detectors should never be used as a replacement for prevention, only as a back up.
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Table of Contents· Definition · Sources of Carbon Monoxide · Health Effects Associated with Carbon Monoxide · Levels in Homes · Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide · Carbon Monoxide - from the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit - IAQ Coordinator's Guide · Additional Resources · Links to Additional Informationo About Carbon Monoxide Detectors o U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Carbon Monoxide Warning o Portable Generators · Publications DefinitionColorless gas or liquid; practically odorless. Burns with a violet flame. Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and benzene. Specific gravity 0.96716; boiling point -190oC; solidification point -207oC; specific volume 13.8 cu. ft./lb. (70oF). Auto ignition temperature (liquid) 1128oF. Classed as an inorganic compound.Source: "The Condensed Chemical Dictionary," 9th ed., revised by Gessner G. Hawley, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., NY, 1977. Top of page Sources of Carbon MonoxideUnvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke.Top of page Health Effects Associated with Carbon MonoxideAt low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations.Top of page Levels in HomesAverage levels in homes without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are often 5 to 15 ppm and those near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher.Top of page Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide· Keep gas appliances properly adjusted. · Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one. · Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. · Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves. · Open flues when fireplaces are in use. · Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly. · Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly. · Do not idle the car inside garage. Top of page Carbon Monoxide - from the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit - IAQ Coordinator's Guide www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guidee.htmlDescription Sources Standards or Guidelines
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It results from incomplete oxidation of carbon in combustion. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source. No standards for CO have been agreed upon for indoor air. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air are 9 ppm (40,000 micrograms per meter cubed) for 8 hours, and 35 ppm for 1 hour.
Health Effects Measurement Methods Control Measures
Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal. Some relatively high-cost infrared radiation adsorption and electrochemical instruments do exist. Moderately priced real-time measuring devices are also available. A passive monitor is currently under development. It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
Top of page Additional ResourcesTo report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. Consumer can obtain recall information at CPSC's web site - www.cpsc.gov Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov Top of page Links to Additional InformationOffice of Air and Radiation page - "CO - How Carbon Monoxide Affects the Way We Live and Breathe"Office of Research and Development:· Carbon Monoxide and the Nervous System. Raub, J. A., and V. A. Benignus. Carbon Monoxide and the Nervous System. NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS 26(8):925-940, (2002). · Carbon Monoxide Poisoining - A Public Health Perspective. Raub, J. A., M. Mathieunolf, N. B. Hampson, and S. R. Thom. Carbon Monoxide Poinsoning--a Public Health Perspective. TOXICOLOGY (145):1-14, (2000). · Revised Evaluation of Health Effects Associated With Carbon Monoxide Exposure: An Addendum to the 1979 EPA Air Quality Criteria Document for Carbon Monoxide Benignus, V., L. Grant, D. Mckee, and J. Raub. Revised Evaluation of Health Effects Associated With Carbon Monoxide Exposure: An Addendum to the 1979 EPA Air Quality Criteria Document for Carbon Monoxide. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/8-83/033F (NTIS PB85103471). National Center for Environmental HealthAir and Respiratory Health BranchCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)"Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" (in English and Spanish) - www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/carbonmonoxide.asp "Checklist for Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" - www.cdc.gov/co/checklist.htm U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionOffice of Information and Public AffairsWashington, D.C. 20207Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers (CPSC document #466) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from the unreasonable risk of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, you can go to CPSC's forms page - www.cpsc.gov/talk.html and use the first on-line form on that page. Or, you can call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or send the information to info@cpsc.gov."Your Home Fire Safety Checklist" (www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/556.html ) - CPSC CPSC Recommends Carbon Monoxide Alarm for Every Home (January 18, 2001 CPSC Release # 01-069)The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CPSC also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel- burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks. CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard or International Approval Services 6-96 standard. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01069.html American Lung Association Fact Sheet on Carbon Monoxidewww.lungusa.org/air/carbon_factsheet99.html Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Fact Sheet on Carbon Monoxide (a pdf file)www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health"Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carbonmonoxidepoisoning.html About Carbon Monoxide DetectorsUnderwriters' Laboratory - Product Safety Tips - Carbon Monoxide Alarms - www.ul.com/consumers/co.html About Your House - Carbon Monoxide, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/burema/gesein/abhose/abhose_ce25.cfm About.com "What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide Detectors" www.chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa092202a.htm U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Carbon Monoxide Warning www.uscgboating.org/alerts/alertsview.aspx?id=8 Portable GeneratorsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -Safety Alert:Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, but they also can be hazardous. The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/portgen.html Also PDF versions in English and Spanish. Top of page PublicationsProtect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, October 1996 (402-F-96-005)Discusses health hazards associated with exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas which can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, faintness, and, at high levels, death. Provides guidance on what to do if you think you are suffering from CO poisoning and what to do to prevent exposure to CO. Also included is a brief discussion about carbon monoxide detectors.Proteja su vida y la de su familia evitando el envenenamiento con monóxido de carbono (ref. # 402-F-97-004)This fact sheet has also been translated into Vietnamese (ref. # 402-F-96-005C), Chinese (ref. # 402-F-96-005A), and Korean (ref. # 402-F-96-005B). To get copies of any of these, contact IAQINFO at 1-800-438-4318.ALERT!! Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Small Gasoline-Powered Engines and Tools. (1996)This joint alert from NIOSH, CDPHE, CPSC, OSHA and EPA warns that people using gasoline-powered tools such as high-pressure washers, concrete cutting saws (walk-behind/hand-held), power trowels, floor buffers, welders, pumps, compressors, and generators in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces have been poisoned by Carbon Monoxide. Recommendations for preventing CO poisoning are provided for employers, equipment users, tool rental agencies, and tool manufacturers.Single copies of the Alert [DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118] are available for free from: Publication Dissemination, IED, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226fax number: (513) 533-8573, phone number: 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)e-mail: pubstaft@niosdt1.em.cdc.gov The "Invisible" Killer (CPSC Document #464)Prepared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, this leaflet describes symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, sources of carbon monoxide in the home, and actions that can reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. PDF version of this brochure - www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/464.pdf [En Español] Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet (CPSC Document #466)Discusses carbon monoxide (CO) hazards; and prevention and detection of dangerous CO levels. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html [En Español] What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution (CPSC Document #452)This booklet answers some common questions you may have about the potential for one specific type of hazard - indoor air pollution - associated with one class of appliances - combustion appliances. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/452.html Responding to Residential Carbon Monoxide Incidents , July 23, 2002 (CPSC Publication)Guidelines for first reponders to residential carbon monoxide incidents www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia04/os/resident.pdf Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Camping Equipment (CPSC Document #5008)Safety Alert: Discusses carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and explains how C0 can cause CO poisoning from camping equipment such as portable camping heaters, lanterns, stoves inside tents, campers and vehicles. Provides steps to take to prevent such poisonings and how to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5008.html Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives (CPSC Document #5010)Safety Alert: Discusses how (CO) detectors can save your life describes the symptoms of CO poisoning. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5010.html Deaths From Burning Charcoal in Homes, Vehicles, and Tents (CPSC Document #5012)Safety Alert: Discusses the hazards of carbon monoxide, which causes 25 deaths from carbon monoxide each year in these environments. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5012.html Other CPSC Indoor Air Quality Publications - www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/iaq.html Top of page
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cofacts.asp
Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency
Español (Spanish) | (Vietnamese) | Français (French)
Kreyol (Haitian Creole) | Deutsch (German) | Português (Portuguese)
Download PDF version formatted for print (94 KB/1 page)
Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper-or even outside near an open window.
Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it. When power outages occur during emergencies such as hurricanes or winter storms, you may try to use alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, or cooking. CO from these sources can build up in your home, garage, or camper and poison the people and animals inside.
If you are too hot or too cold, or you need to prepare food, don't put yourself and your family at risk-look to friends or a community shelter for help. If you must use an alternative source of fuel or electricity, be sure to use it only outside and away from open windows.
Every year, more than 500 people die from accidental CO poisoning. CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO in an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
How to Recognize CO Poisoning
Exposure to CO can cause loss of consciousness and death. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms. If you think you may have CO poisoning, consult a health care professional right away.
Important Tips
· Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.
· Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
· Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.
· Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine outside an open window or door where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
· Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
Additional resources on carbon monoxide poisoning
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Questions and Answers about Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Guidelines
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
· Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Public Service Announcements
From CDC's National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Page last modified January 5, 2005
http://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/Home/CO/coinfo.html
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and deadly gas! When exposed to, CO inhibits your blood's capacity to carry oxygen throughout the body, actually suffocating your tissues and organs. CO can escape into your home's air through a faulty furnace, wood-burning stove, range, water heater, fireplace, or any device that burns combustible fuel.
What are the symptoms? Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can often be confused with flu symptoms but can become much more serious. They include:
· Headache
· Fatigue
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Irregular breathing
· Mental confusion
· Unconsciousness
· Ultimately death
What is the Solution? The key to protecting yourself and your family is prevention and the use of a quality carbon monoxide detector. Prevention is always the first and foremost important step to protecting your family from CO poisoning, but sometimes prevention tactics don't always prevent a problem. Thus, having the life-saving backup of a reliable, quality CO detector is extremely important. It can warn your family when nothing else will save them.
Where should I install a CO detector and how many? CO detectors should be installed near bedrooms, and homes with more than one living level should have at least one detector on each level. CO detectors should be installed between outlet level and 6-7 feet high. CO Detectors should not be installed in garages, kitchens, furnace rooms or humid areas. Appliances in these areas can cause a detector to emit false alarms.
Always install detectors at least 15 feet away from a furnace or gas appliance and avoid installing detectors close to a fan, swamp cooler or other fresh or turbulent air sources as this may deter the unit from taking accurate readings.
Practice Prevention! Prevention can be both easy and life-saving. Remember to follow these steps:
· Have your furnace and heating system inspected and serviced annually.
· Never run an automobile in the garage or any other type of enclosed space.
· Have your chimney and flu cleaned professionally.
· Make sure that the burner flames on your furnace and stove burn blue, not yellow-orange, and never use your gas range or oven for heating.
· Never use grills or hibachis inside your home.
· Never operate gas burning appliances in a closed room.
Remember: Carbon Monoxide detectors should never be used as a replacement for prevention, only as a back up.