Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is an illness cause by breathing too much carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas. When there is too much CO in the air you breathe, your body does not get enough oxygen. You may become unconscious. You could die or, if you survive, your brain may be permanently damaged.

Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning. Infants, older adults, and people with anemia or heart or lung disease are particularly sensitive to high levels of CO.

How does it occur?

CO is released into the air by the burning of fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal. If gas appliances, such as a stove, furnace, water heater, or generator are not working right or are not used correctly, high levels of CO may result. The level of CO may also become too high by the burning of fuel, such as by a gas or kerosene heater, in an area that is not well ventilated. For example, levels of CO may build up in a house when these heaters are used in an attached garage and the garage door is closed, even if the door between the house and garage is closed. Levels of carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels within seconds to minutes.

Dangerous levels of CO can also be a risk when you ride in the back of a pickup truck with a camper shell or if you swim behind or moor next to a boat with the engine running.

What are the symptoms?

Many of the symptoms of CO poisoning are like the symptoms of mild stomach flu or food poisoning. Symptoms include:

• headache
• nausea
• feeling you cannot get enough air
• dizziness
• confusion
• fainting.

If you are exposed to high levels of CO for too long, you could die.

If you are sleeping when the CO levels become too high, you may not wake up to have any symptoms. This is why it is so important to use proper heating and ventilation in your home.

You may not realize that carbon monoxide poisoning is causing your symptoms. If you have symptoms only in your house, or if they go away or lessen when you leave home and then come back when you are home again, you should suspect CO poisoning. Also suspect carbon monoxide if others in your household have similar symptoms, especially if everyone's symptoms started at about the same time.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and examine you. You will have a blood test for carbon monoxide poisoning.

How is it treated?

If you have symptoms that you think could be caused by CO poisoning:

1. Get fresh air right away. Open doors and windows, turn off appliances and heaters, and get everyone out of the building.
2. Call 911 or have someone take you to an emergency room and tell them you think you might have CO poisoning. CO poisoning can be diagnosed with a blood test if the test is done soon after exposure to CO.

You will be given oxygen to treat carbon monoxide poisoning.

How can I help care for myself?

If you have been treated for CO poisoning:

• Get plenty of fresh air afterwards.
• If you were in your home when you became ill, you need to have your furnace and any gas appliances checked by a professional before you return to your home. If you must return to your home, keep your windows open.
• Call your healthcare provider right away or return to the emergency department if:
  • Your symptoms are getting worse, not better.
  • You start to have the same symptoms that made you seek treatment.
  • You have any symptoms that worry you.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

• Have fuel-burning appliances such as oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season. Make sure that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked.
• Choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible, have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers' instructions.
• Don't keep a car running in a garage, even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage. Fumes will also build up in the living area of your home if the garage is attached.
• Keep the exhaust system of your car in good repair.
• Don't use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors, not even in a fireplace.
• Don't sleep in any room or space with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
• Don't use any gas-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines, or generators) in an enclosed space.
• Consider placing carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home and in your bedrooms. Several different and relatively inexpensive detectors are available in stores. They will sound an alarm if the carbon monoxide level in your home is too high.
• Don't ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.