The dangers of carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible odorless gas
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it can kill a person within minutes.
(OSHA) classifies carbon monoxide as an asphyxiant, which means that it displaces oxygen and causes symptoms including death from asphyxiation, or lack of oxygen to the bloodstream and therefore to the brain.
Unconsciousness followed by death
exposed to moderate levels of carbon monoxide may even faint.
Symptoms
flu or the common cold or even food poisoning
The long term effects of poisoning by carbon monoxide can be extremely serious. The long term effects of breathing in carbon monoxide can affect:
•memory
•brain function
•behaviour
•cognition.
•
Many of these long term effects are not immediate and may present themselves several weeks after exposure.
In many cases, the symptoms may wear off within a certain time period.
However, in some cases the effects are permanent: particularly in the case of organ damage and brain damage.
By educating yourself, raising awareness, and exercising vigilance you can dramatically reduce the risks of carbon monoxide both within your home and in the workplace.
CO is worse for older people and people with heart, circulatory, or lung disease.