First Aid

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas which can be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene) is burning. An ingestion of carbon monoxide fumes not only prevents oxygen from being used properly by the body, but, also, causes harm to the central nervous system. Persons with existing health problems such as heart and lung disease are especially vulnerable, as are infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

What are some of the sources of carbon monoxide?

The majority of carbon monoxide exposures occur in the winter months and the most common source of residential CO-related poisoning is unvented supplemental heaters. Other common sources of carbon monoxide include:

malfunctioning cooking appliances
tobacco smoke
clogged chimney
auto exhaust
malfunctioning water heater
malfunctioning oil, wood, gas or coal furnaces
malfunctioning gas clothes dryer
wood burning fireplace, decorative fireplace, gas log burner, or any unvented space heater
appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, lack of adequate ventilation, pool/spa heaters, ceiling-mounted heating units

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning mimics many common illnesses such as the flu and food poisoning. Although each individual may experience symptoms differently, some of the most common symptoms include:

headache
dizziness
weakness
nausea and vomiting
rapid heartbeat
seizures
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurry vision
disorientation
loss of consciousness or coma
respiratory failure

How can you protect against carbon monoxide poisoning?

Have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating season.

Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas.

Do not start or leave running cars, trucks or other vehicles in an enclosed area.

Do not use portable heaters or lanterns while sleeping in enclosed areas such as tents, campers, and other vehicles. This is especially important at high altitudes, where the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased.

See your physician immediately if you suspect that you or a member of your family are a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.

This page was last updated on: January 25, 2008.

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