Facts for life Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Jan 08, 2016
Facts for life
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Properties of Carbon Monoxide
• Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas.
• It is toxic to most forms of life.• It is about 3% lighter than air.
Production of Carbon Monoxide
• When carbon compounds are burned in limited oxygen CO instead of CO2 is formed.
2C + O2 (limited) = 2CO
Carbon Monoxide Formation
• This can happen in your home – especially if the gas fires or heating boilers are not serviced regularly
• Car exhausts produce CO – especially if the engine is not efficient (never switch on the engine just to keep warm, especially if the car is in an enclosed space).
• Cigarettes produce CO
Haemoglobin
• The haemoglobin carry oxygen in the blood.
• When oxygen has been ‘delivered’ the blood cells are free to collect and deliver more
Carboxy-haemoglobin
• If CO is absorbed by the haemoglobin they become carboxy-haemoglobin.
• Carboxy-haemoglobin cannot release the CO molecule, and the haemoglobin that has absorbed the carbon monoxide cannot therefore carry oxygen around the body any more.
Bright pink blood!
• Carboxy-haemoglobin are bright pink.
• They reduce the oxygen that gets carried around the body and make the person suffocate.
• A person dying of CO poisoning is very flushed – has a bright pink complexion!
Smokers
• Smokers can have up to 10% carboxy-haemoglobin in their blood from cigarette CO inhalation alone – giving them a headstart on getting a lethal dose from faulty appliances.
• It reduces the oxygen getting to major organs - including the brain…
Smokers
• Carbon Monoxide is just as dangerous in cigarettes as it is an individual gas.
• In fact, it has basically the same effects, only over a long period of time.
Smokers
• When smoking, Carbon Monoxide is inhaled with tar, nicotine, and many other small bits of toxins.
• When it enters through the mouth, it spreads quickly throughout your body and skin.
• There, it combines with haemoglobin in the blood, preventing absorption of oxygen.
Smokers
• Lack of oxygen causes smokers to run out of breath quickly and fatigue.
• Carbon Monoxide also travels to the heart and lungs.
• It seeps into tiny pores around them, making it a major factor in lung cancer and heart disease.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
• Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and can have a long term health risk if left unattended. Some of the symptoms are the following.– Shortness of breath – Mild nausea – Mild headaches
Symptoms of CO poisoning
• Moderate levels of CO exposure can cause death if the following symptoms persist for a long measure of time.– Headaches – Dizziness – Nausea – Light-headedness
• High levels of CO can be fatal causing death within minutes.
Treatment of CO poisoning
• Get the victim into fresh air immediately. • If you can not get the people out of the
house, then open all windows and doors. • Any combustion appliances should be
turned off. • Take those who were subjected to carbon
monoxide to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. A simple blood test will be able to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning has occurred. They will require a transfusion.
Detection of CO in the home
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.
• Or use a chemical detector – take care to replace it regularly.
Safety Tips• Have gas appliances checked regularly• Use a detector in the home• Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t
vented properly• Never heat your house with a gas oven.• Never run a generator in an enclosed space (like your
basement) or outside a window where the exhaust could blow indoors
• Don’t warm your car up in a closed garage. • If your garage is attached to your house, close the door
to the house even if you open the garage door while you warm up the car.
• When it snows, be sure to clear any snow out of your car’s exhaust pipe — if the pipe is blocked exhaust gases can back up inside your car.