What Is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste. Burning gasoline, natural gas, wood, or charcoal can produce carbon monoxide.
The incomplete burning of natural gas or other products containing carbon creates carbon monoxide. Items like heaters, stoves, grills, and automobiles are all at risk of producing carbon monoxide.
The carbon monoxide from these products can build up indoors and poison people who breathe it.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
There are many sources of carbon monoxide. Some are manufactured, while others are natural, like forest fires and volcanoes.
Carbon monoxide can also be produced when there is a lack of oxygen, like in a sealed room, garage, or boat. The chance of carbon monoxide poisoning increases in colder months; heaters are frequently used, and windows are closed, allowing carbon monoxide to build up.
Harmful Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it replaces the oxygen in the bloodstream with poison, starving organs and tissues of oxygen. Here are some other carbon monoxide harmful effects:
Health Problems
Carbon monoxide exposure can cause several health problems, including:
- headaches
- dizziness
- weakness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- chest pain
- confusion
Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States. The poisoning happens when someone breathes in too much carbon monoxide.
The amount of carbon monoxide in the air determines the speed at which poisoning can occur: the more carbon monoxide present, the more immediate the danger.
Pets are also at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and can be the first to show symptoms.
Climate Change
Carbon monoxide is not a primary greenhouse gas but an indirect greenhouse gas. Carbon monoxide does not directly cause climate change; however, it increases the concentration of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, increasing the Earth's average temperature.
The Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the public from harmful air pollution, including carbon monoxide.
The act aims to reduce carbon monoxide emissions resulting from manufacturing and consumption.
According to the EPA, the Clean Air Act has helped reduce carbon monoxide pollution by more than 70 percent since 1970.
Other Means of Reducing Carbon Monoxide Exposure
In addition to the Clean Air Act, there are other ways to reduce carbon monoxide exposure. These include:
Regular Maintenance of Central Heating Systems
Regularly check heating systems to ensure they are working correctly and not emitting carbon monoxide. It is crucial to maintain gas or oil furnaces properly.
Careful Use of Potential Carbon Monoxide Sources
Use appliances that generate carbon monoxide in well-ventilated areas and follow the manufacturer's instructions for appliances like grills, stoves, and lanterns.
Regular Check-Up of Vehicles
Ensure your vehicle's exhaust system is functioning correctly and not leaking carbon monoxide.
Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detector
Detectors will alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. This is an important safety measure, especially if you have a gas or oil furnace.
The Bottom Line
Carbon monoxide does not have an odor, color, or taste. Burning fuels like gasoline or oil or burning natural gas, wood, or charcoal produce carbon monoxide.
The gas is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, and furnaces.
The carbon monoxide from these products can build up indoors and poison people who breathe it. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause several health problems; in severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
FAQs
1. How does carbon monoxide affect the body?
Carbon monoxide prevents the blood from carrying oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
2. Who is at risk for carbon monoxide exposure?
Anyone who breathes in carbon monoxide is at risk for carbon monoxide exposure. This includes people who are exposed to combustion fumes from cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, and furnaces. Pets are also susceptible.
3. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
4. How does carbon monoxide affect the climate?
Carbon monoxide is not a direct greenhouse gas but contributes to other greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, increasing the Earth's average temperature. This can lead to several problems, such as more extreme weather conditions and rising sea levels.
5. What are the other ways to reduce carbon monoxide exposure?
In addition to the Clean Air Act, there are other ways to reduce carbon monoxide exposure. These include:
- Regular Maintenance of Central Heating Systems
- Careful Use of Potential Carbon Monoxide Sources
- Regular Check-Up of Vehicles
- Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detector
