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University of California Agricultural Health and Safety Center
Carbon
monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas-a by-product of incomplete
combustion. There is always some produced whenever we burn
any carbon-based fuel such as natural gas, heating oil, wood,
reconstituted wood logs, gasoline, charcoal, or any similar
product.
Why
should I be concerned about it?
Carbon
monoxide can kill you. It is estimated that between 500 and
1,000 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning every
year in the United States. In California, we usually hear
of CO-related deaths from use of inappropriate indoor heaters
or broken or improperly vented heaters.
Carbon
monoxide interferes with the blood's ability to transport
oxygen to body organs and can result in death at even very
low levels. Because it is colorless and odorless, it is impossible
to detect without instruments.
Symptoms
of CO poisoning are similar to cold, flu, and allergy symptoms.
Low levels of CO poisoning can result in headaches, lethargy,
weakness, nausea, and muscle aches. Higher levels can cause
paralysis, impaired judgment, coma, and death if left untreated.
Simply
removing the victim from the source may not be enough to save
his or her life. If you suspect CO poisoning, it is important
to get immediate medical attention and treatment.
What
are the common sources of carbon monoxide in the home?
The most
common source of carbon monoxide in California homes is the
use of inappropriate or improperly installed heating devices.
Examples of inappropriate heating devices are charcoal grills,
gas barbeques, camp stoves, or any device that does not explicitly
mention that it may be used indoors. If in doubt, do not use
the device inside until you call the manufacturer.
Poorly
vented appliances can be gas cooktops, gas heaters, furnaces,
wood stoves, or even water heaters. These are intended for
indoor use and are usually installed correctly. However, inadequate
maintenance, broken parts, or backdrafting because of the
design and construction of the house can make these devices
dangerous.
How
can I tell if carbon monoxide is making me sick?
Do you
feel better when you leave the house and go to work or school?
Do you feel better when going outside? Do you start to feel
a headache or tired when you return home at the end of the
day? Are your symptoms shared by others in your home? Low
levels of carbon monoxide can be very difficult to detect
and the symptoms can appear to clear up when someone leaves
the source. This does not mean that the problem is solved.
I
have these symptoms, but my doctor is not sure if I might
have this problem at home. What should I do?
Have
your doctor call the Environmental Protection Agency at 1-800-
438-4318 to obtain a free copy of Indoor Air Quality: An
Introduction for Health Professionals. Email: IAQINFO@aol.com.
What
about a home test?
Home
carbon monoxide detectors are a great idea. Many are available
and range in price from about $10 to $300. Make sure that
the device you purchase is certified by Underwriters' Laboratories
(UL). Install it and maintain it according to the manufacturer's
instructions. Many have a combination sensor/battery that
must be changed about every two years. Carbon monoxide detectors
usually use a chemical reaction sensor, which will deteriorate
after a couple of years and must be hanged.
What
if I think I or family members have been poisoned at home?
Call
911 and tell the operator why you think you need help. The
fire department can come and check your home and ventilate
it in an emergency. Ambulance crews can begin the necessary
treatment. If you come home during heating season and find
people unconscious in your house, call 911 from a phone away
from the house. You may also be overcome by carbon monoxide
if you attempt rescue on your own.
What
is backdrafting?
Backdrafting
occurs when a naturally vented appliance loses the chimney
effect, which normally carries combustion by-products up the
chimney. Backdrafting can occur with furnaces, fireplaces,
woodstoves, and water heaters. This can happen during low
wind conditions and when there is lower air pressure in the
house than outside. Running a furnace, clothes dryer, bathroom
fans, and a kitchen fan can cause backdrafting, as they move
air out of the house, which must be replaced from the outside.
If the doors and windows are all closed and very tight, the
replacement air must come down a chimney and can cause a backdraft
through any of these appliances.
How
do we prevent backdrafting?
Try to
start fireplaces and woodstoves when no other devices are
removing air from the house. Once a draft is established,
it is less likely to change into a backdraft, particularly
in a properly vented and maintained device. If possible, have
the water heater and furnace draw their intake air from the
outside or away from the living area. If you see smoke coming
back down a chimney, you have a problem that needs immediate
attention.
How
do I select someone to do my home maintenance?
Require
licensed contractors for inspection and repair of your furnace
and water heater. Check with the state regarding the status
of their license and check with the local Better Business
Bureau regarding any recent complaints. Ask for references
and check them out. Make sure to select reputable and professional
chimney sweeps to inspect and clean your chimney annually.
If you burn a lot of wood, you may need a more frequent inspection.
If we have an earthquake, inspect all chimneys and combustion
appliances for any damage before using them.
How
do I control carbon monoxide?
Carbon
monoxide cannot be "controlled". We must keep it out of our
living areas and avoid contamination of our indoor air. Make
sure that all combustion appliances in the home are UL listed
for indoor use. Do not burn charcoal or gas barbeque grills
indoors. Keep garages vented and do not allow automotive exhaust
to enter your home.
Why
would a normally functioning furnace or water heater suddenly
start to produce carbon monoxide?
A furnace
or water heater would not suddenly start to produce carbon
monoxide, but it may start to let it into your home. Possible
reasons for this are that the heat exchanger has rusted or
corroded, or the house has settled a bit and shifted. It is
also possible that the chimney has developed an obstruction
from a bird's nest, debris, or some other occurrence over
the summer.
Is
there any way to know that you have carbon monoxide coming
in?
The best
way is to get several good detectors and install and use them
according to instructions. If you notice a heating appliance
that makes a funny noise, starts making more noise than usual,
if the furnace runs all the time, or if you smell some of the
other combustion by-products, it's a good idea to get it checked
by a professional.
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NASD Review: 04/2002
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