What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Helping you Understand What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What is carbon monoxide poisoning explained including causes, origins symptoms and what to do if your alarm goes off.

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs when carbon monoxide gas accumulates in the bloodstream. CO gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect without the use of specialized equipment. Understanding how carbon monoxide poisoning happens, its symptoms, and how to prevent it is crucial for ensuring the safety and health of you and your loved ones.

How Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Occur?

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel is burned in vehicles, small engines, stoves, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, and furnaces. Under normal conditions with proper ventilation, carbon monoxide levels remain low and safe. However, if combustion appliances are used in enclosed spaces or ventilation fails, carbon monoxide can quickly build up to dangerous levels.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning? How did I get it? When will I feel better? Will I be okay?

Carbon monoxide itself is not produced naturally by the body in significant amounts. When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood more effectively than oxygen and forms carboxyhemoglobin, which prevents oxygen from being delivered to vital organs and tissues. This oxygen deprivation can rapidly lead to serious health complications and, without intervention, can be deadly.

When inhaled from external sources, carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and affects the body in the following way:

1. Absorption into the Bloodstream: Once carbon monoxide is inhaled, it passes through the alveoli in the lungs and enters the bloodstream.
2. Binding with Hemoglobin: CO binds to hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Carbon monoxide has a much higher binding affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen—over two hundred (200) times stronger. This strong binding prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen effectively.
3. Reduced Oxygen Transport: As more hemoglobin binds with carbon monoxide, less is available to bind with and transport oxygen. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches tissues and organs, leading to cellular hypoxia (oxygen deficiency).
4. Tissue Damage and Impaired Function: The lack of sufficient oxygen supply affects the brain, heart, and other vital organs, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, unconsciousness or death.

Carbon monoxide exposure can be especially dangerous for individuals with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women (because it can harm the developing fetus), and young children. The severity of carbon monoxide poisoning depends on the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air, the duration of exposure, and the individual’s overall health.

Prompt treatment with 100% oxygen or hyperbaric oxygen therapy helps displace carbon monoxide from hemoglobin, allowing normal oxygen transport to resume and reducing the risk of tissue damage and additional residual effects. For more on carbon monoxide symptoms, click here.

What is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – The Medical Presentation

One of the most concerning aspects of carbon monoxide poisoning is how easily its symptoms can be mistaken for other common illnesses, such as the flu (and more recently, COVID-19). The severity of symptoms depends on the level and duration of exposure but can typically include:

• Headache,
• Dizziness,
• Shortness of breath,
• Decreased intellectual function,
• Heart Attack,
• Arrhythmia,
• Tachycardia,
• Angina,
• Hypertension,
• Nausea,
• Confusion and Disorientation,
• Visual Changes,
• Speech and Language Problems,
• Motor Difficulties,
• Impaired Memory,
• Attention Problems,
• Slowed Mental Processing,
• Executive functioning disorders,
• Fatigue, and
• Sleep Disturbance.

In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in death. Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to permanent neurological damage and/or organ failure.

Link to Post re Symptoms

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Gas Appliances

Gas appliances, including stoves, ovens, water heaters, and clothes dryers, are a common source of carbon monoxide. If these appliances are not properly maintained or vented, they can emit carbon monoxide into your home or space. Poor combustion or blocked vents can prevent the gas from safely exiting the space, leading to dangerous levels of CO to buildup.

Furnaces and Heaters

Furnaces, boilers, space heaters and other heating systems that burn fossil fuels (such as natural gas, oil, or coal) are another common source of carbon monoxide. Over time, these systems can become inefficient, and if they are not maintained and serviced regularly, carbon monoxide can build up within the home or space.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

Both traditional wood-burning fireplaces and modern wood stoves can be sources of carbon monoxide, especially if the chimney or flue is blocked or not functioning properly. When burning wood or other fuels, the smoke and gases should be vented outside, but a clogged chimney or improper ventilation can cause CO to accumulate indoors.

Vehicles and Engine Exhaust

Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles are major sources of carbon monoxide, particularly when they are idling in an enclosed space like a garage. While modern vehicles are designed to minimize emissions, carbon monoxide can still build up if a vehicle is running inside a garage or other closed environment, even with the door open.

Generators

Portable generators, often used during power outages or in outdoor activities like camping, are another potential source of carbon monoxide. If used indoors or in an enclosed space, the carbon monoxide produced by the generator will quickly become hazardous. Portable generators should never be used indoors and should always be kept a safe distance away from doors, windows and vents.

Gasoline-Powered Tools and Equipment

Other gasoline-powered equipment, such as lawnmowers, snow blowers, pressure washers, and power tools, can also release carbon monoxide when used in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. Gas-powered tools and equipment should never be used indoors and should be kept a safe distance away from doors, windows and vents.

Charcoal Grills

Charcoal grills, often used for outdoor cooking, can also be a source of carbon monoxide if used improperly or indoors. When charcoal is burned, it produces carbon monoxide as part of the combustion process.

Immediate Steps to Take

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, it is vital to act immediately.

Follow these steps:

1. Exit to fresh air immediately: Leave the contaminated area to fresh air outdoors.
2. Call 911 after exiting to safety: Seek professional medical help right away.
3. Administer oxygen: Medical professionals may provide 100% oxygen or use a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to help the body clear carbon monoxide faster.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The best way to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning is through prevention.

Here are some important prevention tips:

Install carbon monoxide detectors: Place detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Regularly check and replace their batteries.

Maintain appliances: Schedule regular inspections and maintenance for all fuel-burning appliances.

Ensure proper ventilation: Make sure vents, chimneys, and flues are clear of debris and functioning properly.

Never use generators indoors: Only operate generators, grills, or fuel-burning devices outside and away from doors and windows.

By taking these precautions and staying informed, you can significantly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and create a safer environment for yourself and your loved ones.