Many Canadians are unaware of a common poison in their homes. It is odourless, colourless and often undetected until the damage has been done. According to the Canadian Safety Council, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of fatal poisonings in North America.

In only a matter of minutes, high concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) can cause unconsciousness, coma, blindness, or heart failure. When the gas is inhaled, it enters the bloodstream and takes the place of life-sustaining oxygen. It has a structure similar to oxygen so it can fool the body into allowing it to bind to hemoglobin in our blood. In fact, CO forms a bond with our hemoglobin that is 210 times stronger than oxygen thus making it a powerful poison.

This killer might mimic oxygen but it provides none of the sustenance. The brain and heart soon react to a lack of oxygen with an increase in the victim's heart rate. As more air is brought into the lungs and bloodstream by rapid breathing, the poisoning progresses even faster. Immediate exposure to fresh air is required. Carbon monoxide can be deadly when victims can fall unconscious before they can get out into fresh air.

Symptoms
The first signs of CO poisoning are typically nausea, headache or light-headedness, problems with co-ordination, and lethargy. Initially, low levels of this gas may fool the victim into thinking they merely have a flu. This can result in tragedy if the poisoning goes unnoticed.

Confusion can also result from exposure. In severe cases, confusion can interfere with a person's ability to recognize their life is in danger.

As the poisoning progresses more severe symptoms will manifest such as rapid breathing and pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness, coma, convulsions, and respiratory failure. A simple indication and one which is easily observed, is a slightly blue tinge to the skin. This is a sign that the blood is carrying dangerously low levels of oxygen.

The Canadian Safety Council (CSC) also warns about danger to reproductive ability. The Council reports that women exposed to CO during pregnancy have a higher rate of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight. In men, exposure can cause genetic damage to reproductive cells and loss of potency.

Treatment
The first step is to get fresh air or to move the victim to fresh air. Second, turn off the stove, barbecue, vehicle or other device the CO. After leaving the contaminated area, call for emergency assistance. Tell the operator that you believe you have been poisoned. In the event you are unconscious when the ambulance arrives they will know the cause and be able to treat you promptly. It is better to error on the side of caution.

In severe cases, victims must be treated by being submerged in a hyperbolic chamber. In the chamber they are exposed to oxygen and high pressure, which break down the concentration of the poisonous gas in the bloodstream.

If left untreated, long-term low-level CO exposure can cause symptoms, which can be misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue, flu, or frequent headaches. Unfortunately, it is usually after several days or even weeks of continued illness that the victim will go to their doctor. By that time it may already be too late to reverse the affects of long-term oxygen deprivation: brain damage, partial or complete blindness.

Protecting your family
Burning any fuel will produce CO. This includes fuels such as gasoline, wood, kerosene, charcoal, and propane. Problems arise when the car, grill, stove or other device is not burning the fuel efficiently or the device is operating in a confined space. Fumes must be properly ventilated to the outdoors. Ensure that there are no leaks in ventilation pipes from gas stoves. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency n the U.S. revealed that air surrounding properly functioning gas stoves contained 5 to 15 ppm of CO. The levels near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher. For comparison, 200 ppm will result in a headache in a few hours, 400 ppm causes a widespread headache in 3 hours, and 800 ppm can cause nausea, convulsions and unconsciousness. Remember that although a stove may only release a small amount of CO, it can accumulate to danger levels in a home without ventilation.

Also invest in a visit from a chimney sweep to ensure that your fireplace is efficiently diverting smoke skywards rather than into your living room. There are a number of harmful chemicals and gases in wood smoke so it is essential to maintain your fireplace in top form. Be sure the flue is open at all times when the fireplace is in use. It may also be time to turn that old wood stove into a decorative furnishing!

Maintenance of all your non-electric machines and appliances is the first step in protecting your family from this lethal killer. If you notice an unaccountable increase in your gas bill you may have an appliance that is not functioning properly. The second step is to ensure hour home is properly ventilated. This may involve repairing any cracks or leaks in ventilation pipes, maintaining a clean fireplace and keeping the garage door open when warming up your car.

A CO detector is another important precaution. Because this gas is odourless and colourless, it can be a particularly insidious indoor pollutant. With a detector, you'll sleep better knowing that everyone will wake up healthy!

Return to: Environment Issues

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