What is Carbon Monoxide ?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that’s both odorless and colorless. It’s found in combustion (exhaust) fumes produced by:

Heaters
Fireplaces
Car exhaust
portable generators

Everyone is exposed to small amounts of carbon monoxide throughout the day. However, inhaling too much of it can cause CO poisoning. CO can increase to dangerous levels when combustion fumes become trapped in a poorly ventilated or enclosed space (such as a garage). Inhaling these fumes causes CO to build up in your bloodstream, which can lead to severe tissue damage.

CO poisoning is extremely serious and can be life threatening. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know shows signs of CO poisoning.

How is Carbon Monoxide poisoning diagnosed ?
A doctor or nurse will take a blood sample to determine the amount of CO in your blood. Once CO levels increase to 70 parts per million (ppm) and above, symptoms become more noticeable. These symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, and unconsciousness.

Safeguarding and CO detection
Every home should have a CO monitor installed. There are many models that are commercially availabe for residential homes. Review the installation and the manufacturers instructions for the specific unit you may have.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) maintains good information about Carbon Monoxide and can found at the link Here: NFPA Carbon Monoxide Alarms

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