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Carbon Monoxide Facts, Symptoms
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of any material containing carbon,
such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, propane, coal or wood.
Symptoms
At moderate levels
- severe headaches
- dizziness
- mental confusion
- nausea
- faintness
- death, if levels persist for a long time
At low levels
- shortness of breath
- mild nausea
- mild headaches
- longer term health effects
Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause. Carbon monoxide produces weakness and confusion, often depriving the person of the ability to seek safety.
According to the Centers For Disease Control, "CO poisons primarily by tightly binding to hemoglobin in the blood, replacing oxygen, and reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the
blood."
"CO may also poison by binding to tissues and cells of the human body and interfering with their normal function. Persons with pre-existing heart disease are at
increased risk. Fetuses of pregnant women are also at increased risk-especially when mothers are exposed to high CO levels."
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning
may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body which require a lot of oxygen,
such as the heart and brain.
Monitors
The Environmental Protection Agency advocates the use of carbon
monoxide monitors, but warns to not let these monitors lull you into a false
sense of security. It is more important to make sure all appliances work
properly.
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