Roy Linn
Montana State University Extension Service
Each
year, 1,500 Americans die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
About 900 of these deaths occur in homes. Most of the deaths
could be prevented if people were more aware of the dangers.
Carbon
monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is slightly
lighter than air. Only small insignificant amounts of CO are
produced by normal combustion. However, incomplete combustion
of any fuel greatly increases the production of poisonous
carbon monoxide. Even normally safe, fuel-burning furnaces
can present a danger if not cared for properly. Fuel-burning
appliance systems should be kept in good repair and checked
at least annually. Especially prior to the heating season,
make sure that the chimney is not blocked by birdnests, leaves,
soot, loose mortar, bricks or trash.
The flames on most burners that use a gaseous fuel such as natural
gas or liquified petroleum gas should burn steadily with a clear,
blue flame, except for special designs such as fireplace logs
and torches. A wavering, yellow flame on a normal gas burner
indicates that the burner is out of adjustment or the air inlet
is restricted. As a result, the burner may be producing excessive
amounts of CO. However, the flames in burners that use fuel
oil should burn with a clear yellow or orange flame . This is
an indication of good combustion in equipment that burns fuel
oil.
Portable,
unvented heaters should not be used as the main source of
heat. They can, however, bc used safely as a temporary heat
source during the waking hours or during a power failure.
If used, ventilation must be provided. The minimum ventilation
should be one square inch of fresh air per 1,000 BTUs of the
heater's rated output.
Whenever
there is a flame or combustion, some deadly carbon monoxide
gas can be produced. The following factors, however, increase
the production of this highly toxic gas:
- Improper
fuel-air mixture.
- Insufficient
ventilation of combustion gases.
- Insufficient
fresh air intake.
When
none of these conditions exist, burning a solid, liquid or
gaseous fuel produces little danger of CO poisoning. Under
ideal conditions, only small amounts of CO are given off,
and these are quickly dissipated.
But
if one condition exists, such as an improper burner adjustment
of a furnace, the possibility of CO poisoning is greatly increased.
The carbon monoxide, however, still may be vented to the outside
through a chimney or stack.
When
any combination of the hazardous conditions exist, there is
a possibility of a serious threat to health, For instance,
if the burner on the kitchen range is improperly adjusted
in a tightly fitted dwelling, such as a mobile home, the danger
of CO poisoning is greatly increased because normally there
is little ventilation.
Do not use the oven of a gas kitchen stove for heating.
Avoid
use of charcoal grills and hibachi pots indoors for cooking
or to eliminate the chill in a room or closed garage. They
give off CO fumes, even when no glow is visible in the coals.
Make
sure that fuel-burning equipment is installed by qualified,
licensed or trained persons. Such installation should conform
to all local codes and standards.
Provide
a constant supply of fresh air for safe burning of fuels.
This can be done by leaving a window slightly open. Provide
for the positive venting of combustion gases to the outside.
This can be accomplished by vent or flue pipes, exhaust systems,
etc.
Heating
systems, water heaters, kitchen stoves and other fuel-burning
devices should be thoroughly inspected and maintained at least
once a year by a qualified person (professional service representative).
Never
convert a particular unit from one type of fuel to another
without having necessary burner changes and adjustments made
by a trained and experienced person. (Example: Changing from
liquified petroleum fuel [L.P.] to natural gas.)
Never
run any internal combustion engine equipment, such as a power
lawnmower or snowblower, in an enclosed space such as a closed
garage. Always start it outside or with the door open.
Automobile
exhaust systems also can be hazardous, especially in the winter
when cars ale operated with the windows closed. A noisy engine
may indicate a faulty exhaust system. Check the system and
have it repaired if there is a blown-out gasket, loose exhaust
manifold, leaking exhaust pipe connections or holes in the
muffler.
Be sure
the doors are open in the garage or enclosure where an automobile
motor is running.
Pickup campers and travel trailers have largely replaced the
tent and bedroll for campers. monoxide, the silent killer, is
one of the major hazards of mechanized camping.
Headache
and drowsiness may occur in mild cases, while prolonged exposure
can cause nausea, vomiting, heart flutter, extreme sleepiness
and shortness of breath, which can be followed by unconsciousness
and death. If the equipment is faulty, liquid petroleum fuel
provides a major hazard from fire or explosion. In a camping
situation, the exposure could easily exceed eight hours, and
continued exposure to CO as low as 25 parts per million could
cause non-fatal poisoning. Remember, carbon monoxide cannot
be seen, tasted or smelled.
- Have
the liquefied petroleum gas or heating system checked thoroughly
prior to each camping season and once or twice a season
after traveling long distances. Gas line fittings sometimes
loosen.
- Adjust
range, oven, lamp and heater flames at the start of each
camping trip. A yellow flame indicates improper adjustment
and a possibility of excessive carbon monoxide.
- Do
not use the oven as a source of heat. Most camper ovens
do not have an exterior vent.
- Liquefied
petroleum gas is heavier than air, and if there is a leak
in the system, a flash fire could occur from flame or spark
near the floor.
- Provide
adequate cross ventilation. Don't rely only on roof vents.
- Install
a fire extinguisher, and be sure everyone knows how to use
it.
Prevention is always the best way, to deal with accidents, but
sometimes then, happen despite the best efforts to foresee all
possibilities. When they do occur, knowing what to do and acting
quickly can save a life. This is especially true in cases of
acute CO poisoning because time is of the utmost importance.
These are the steps to take:
- Remove
the victim to fresh air immediately,.
- If
he is not breathing, or is breathing irregularly, start
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at once. Breathe for the victim
at the rate of one breath every three seconds.
- Have
someone call for help immediately. (DO NOT leave the victim.)
Call:
- Fire
Department
- Police
Department
- Family
Doctor
- Keep
the victim warm. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be
continued until the victim starts to breathe normally. If
resuscitation is stopped, watch the victim for a relapse.
- Give
the victim nothing to eat or drink.
- When
emergency equipment and personnel arrive, let them take
over.
- Take
the victim to the hospital.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not
represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears
by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
This document
is
MT
8315
,
a series of the Montana State University Extension. Publication
date: February 1983.
Roy
Linn, Energy Specialist. Montana State University Extension,
Bozeman, Montana 59717.
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