Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide can be a deadly killer. This odorless, colorless gas, known by its chemical symbol CO, is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States each year. More than 1,500 people are killed annually and another 10,000 are injured. Carbon monoxide is also the leading cause of death in fire-related accidents. Often, victims are overcome by CO before they can respond to warnings from a smoke. Another 3,000 to 4,000 people die of CO poisoning in fire-related incidents each year.

Why is CO so dangerous? When inhaled, CO combines with hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying substance in red blood cells. This reaction blocks the hemoglobin from taking up oxygen from the lungs. Lack of oxygen causes cells and tissues in the body to die. CO is released from the blood at a slow rate.

What produces this dangerous gas? CO is the nation's leading indoor air pollution problem. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels containing carbon are burned in areas where there is too little oxygen or as a result of burning fuels at too high a temperature. Death and injury occur when CO escapes from sources such as furnaces, space heaters, stoves, ovens and automobiles where there is improper ventilation. Click back to the home page to learn more about the sources of CO in your home and the precautions you can take to help avoid exposure.

How will I know if I have CO poisoning? The symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, fatigue and dizziness -- all symptoms that often lead to a misdiagnosis of the flu. Recent medical journal reports found that nearly one in four people diagnosed with the flu were actually suffering from CO poisoning. Medical evidence has also shown that heart attacks and other thoracic complaints have been correlated with high background CO levels in the environment. Low level exposures are especially hazardous to sensitive populations including infants, children, unborn babies, elderly, and those medical problems such as anemia and heart or lung disease.

What can I do to avoid exposure to CO? Every owner of a home, recreational vehicle or boat should seriously consider a carbon monoxide alarm as an important safeguard against the threats of CO. CO alarms will greatly reduce the number of deaths from CO accidents as well as improve the quality of life for all.