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Carbon monoxide poisoning - the silent killer

Carbon monoxide is a poison that, in high enough concentrations, will suffocate a person.

The gas is responsible for many suicidal and accidental deaths. When you inhale the gas, the lungs will release it into your blood stream where it will attach to haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the red protein in your blood that is responsible for carrying oxygen to every part of your body, including vital organs and the brain. Haemoglobin finds it much easier to combine with carbon monoxide than with oxygen, though. When carbon monoxide replaces between 30% to 40% of the oxygen, a person may develop a headache, is nauseated or vomits, feels dizzy and is confused. People with chronic heart disease may experience increased chest pain. Body parts with high oxygen needs, such as the heart muscles and the brain, are the first affected. A level of above 60% may lead to unconsciousness and death after prolonged exposure. Infants, the elderly, and people with a deficiency of haemoglobin and with heart or respiratory disorders may react to much lower levels.

The mechanism of how carbon monoxide replaces oxygen also provides the answer for emergency treatment - provide oxygen. If you or someone in your family shows any of the symptoms, turn off suspected appliances, get into fresh air immediately, then seek professional treatment. Unfortunately, this is the easy part. The hard part is to recognise that carbon monoxide poisoning is the cause before it is too late. As mentioned earlier, you can't see or smell the gas and the symptoms are similar to common illnesses. Nevertheless, it will help your doctor in the diagnosis when you tell him or her that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

What has no colour, no taste, no odour, and is poisonous? That is an inappropriate question at this point, as the heading of this chapter gave away the answer already. The burning of organic material, such as wood, coal, gas, kerosene, oil, produces carbon monoxide (CO) amongst other gases.

The amount is very little if the appliances are well maintained, but if the appliances operate improperly and restrict the flow of air towards the flame or the fire, then the carbon monoxide concentration in your room can become fatal. Engine exhausts may also contain a large proportion of carbon monoxide, which can enter your home from an attached garage.