Should I be concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is an invisible threat to your health and safety. Though more
commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide
poisoning can occur in any office or home unless certain precautions are taken.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by
the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, gasoline, diesel,
kerosene, coal and charcoal. It is caused by lack of oxygen or a disruption in the
burning process.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body?
When we breathe, carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen our bodies need to survive
and creates a condition known as carboxyhemoglobin saturation.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Unfortunately, the symptoms caused by carboxyhemoglobin saturation are easily
overlooked because they are often flu-like. With mild exposure, most people
experience headaches, fatigue and nausea. Medium exposure can cause a severe
throbbing headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion and an accelerated heart
rate. Extreme exposure can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions,
cardio-respiratory failure, coma and possibly death.
Why are new buildings and homes more susceptible to CO poisoning?
Newer facilities are better sealed to prevent heating and cooling leaks, which keeps
energy use low. As a result, these homes limit ventilation. Normally, a building
breathes in air from the outside to replace air being used by combustion equipment
and appliances. If a structure is too well-sealed, equipment and appliances may
become starved for the air that allows them to operate properly. When that happens,
vent reversal may occur. But even older, less energy-efficient buildings can be
vulnerable to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly if the equipment
has been improperly installed and maintained.
What can be done to protect people from the danger of CO poisoning?
Prevention is the most important step. Taking proper safety measures will reduce
your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Heating systems are only one of the many
potential sources of carbon monoxide. They are designed to be safe, efficient and
not produce carbon monoxide. However, older heating units can experience cracked
heat exchangers, which can pose a carbon monoxide threat. That's why it is
important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to check
combustion appliances to make sure they are operating properly and to be sure that
all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked.
The best method of detection is to use a carbon monoxide detector. A carbon
monoxide detector is a device, very similar to a smoke alarm. It monitors the air for
carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if a specific level is detected. Ideally, you
should have one detector adjacent to occupied areas. Early carbon monoxide
detectors were not very reliable and produced false alarms at low levels. The newer
detectors overcome these early problems. Carbon monoxide detectors are most
effective when used in combination with preventive maintenance. For more
information on this subject contact Always Air. 918-481-1622
Carbon monoxide is an invisible threat to your health and safety. Though more
commonly associated with fires and automobile emissions, carbon monoxide
poisoning can occur in any office or home unless certain precautions are taken.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by
the incomplete combustion of fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, gasoline, diesel,
kerosene, coal and charcoal. It is caused by lack of oxygen or a disruption in the
burning process.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body?
When we breathe, carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen our bodies need to survive
and creates a condition known as carboxyhemoglobin saturation.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Unfortunately, the symptoms caused by carboxyhemoglobin saturation are easily
overlooked because they are often flu-like. With mild exposure, most people
experience headaches, fatigue and nausea. Medium exposure can cause a severe
throbbing headache, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion and an accelerated heart
rate. Extreme exposure can lead to unconsciousness, convulsions,
cardio-respiratory failure, coma and possibly death.
Why are new buildings and homes more susceptible to CO poisoning?
Newer facilities are better sealed to prevent heating and cooling leaks, which keeps
energy use low. As a result, these homes limit ventilation. Normally, a building
breathes in air from the outside to replace air being used by combustion equipment
and appliances. If a structure is too well-sealed, equipment and appliances may
become starved for the air that allows them to operate properly. When that happens,
vent reversal may occur. But even older, less energy-efficient buildings can be
vulnerable to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, particularly if the equipment
has been improperly installed and maintained.
What can be done to protect people from the danger of CO poisoning?
Prevention is the most important step. Taking proper safety measures will reduce
your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Heating systems are only one of the many
potential sources of carbon monoxide. They are designed to be safe, efficient and
not produce carbon monoxide. However, older heating units can experience cracked
heat exchangers, which can pose a carbon monoxide threat. That's why it is
important to schedule annual maintenance visits by a qualified technician to check
combustion appliances to make sure they are operating properly and to be sure that
all chimneys and vents are connected properly and not blocked.
The best method of detection is to use a carbon monoxide detector. A carbon
monoxide detector is a device, very similar to a smoke alarm. It monitors the air for
carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if a specific level is detected. Ideally, you
should have one detector adjacent to occupied areas. Early carbon monoxide
detectors were not very reliable and produced false alarms at low levels. The newer
detectors overcome these early problems. Carbon monoxide detectors are most
effective when used in combination with preventive maintenance. For more
information on this subject contact Always Air. 918-481-1622
| Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
(918) 481-1622
9723 E. 61 St.
Tulsa, OK
9723 E. 61 St.
Tulsa, OK
| © Copyright 2008 Always Air LLC All Rights Reserved |
| Always Air LLC 9723 E. 61St. Tulsa, OK 74133 918.481.1622 |
