How does carbon monoxide (CO) kill you and your family? CO is a sneaky, extremely dangerous gas. People in the south are quite possibly more at risk than our neighbors to the north. This is possibly true because we have less cold weather and less knowledge about how CO is made and how dangerous it is.
CO is made from burning fuel and that can be a wide range of fuels such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood or charcoal. One of the most dangerous aspects of this gas is that it is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. You simply do not know it is present.
Many fuel-burning products and engines make CO. Most often the amount of CO from these sources isn’t cause for worry in areas with good air flow. However if they are used in a partly closed or closed space the CO level can be a danger. Examples are using a charcoal grill indoors or a running car in a garage. Any appliance or engine that is not well vented can cause a dangerous build up.
CO poisoning occurs when inhaled CO builds up in the blood. Breathing the fumes causes CO to replace oxygen in the blood. Therefore the blood can’t deliver any oxygen to the vital organs such as the brain or the heart. Everyone knows what happens when the body can’t get any oxygen. Breathing CO is especially dangerous for unborn babies as fetal blood cells take up CO more easily than adult blood cells; for infants and children as they take more breaths than adults; and for older adults as they are more likely to get brain damage (symptoms related to the nervous system may come on after recovery from the poisoning and may include memory loss, personality changes and movement problems).
Damage from CO depends on how much is breathed in and for how long. This poisoning can cause permanent brain damage, permanent damage to the heart and death.
If the exposed person is awake they may have headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and confusion. In more severe cases can lead to loss of conscious and death. If there isn’t a reason to suspect this poisoning it may be considered a migraine headache, stroke, mental illness, food poisoning, alcohol poisoning or heart disease. There is a simple blood test that can confirm carbon monoxide poisoning.
Treatment is immediate removal from the poisoned air and increased oxygen, if needed CPR. Depending on the level of poisoning found in the blood they may need to be hospitalized.
Prevention is best. Have CO detectors in the home with working batteries. Open garage doors before starting the car and never leave it running, use gas appliances only as intended, use gas camp stoves outdoors, never use a generator in an enclosed space, make sure there is space around fuel-burning appliances and that they are vented properly, keep fireplaces in working order with vents open. Have professionals check all gas/oil burning appliances annually.
Please be safe.
Sally Robinson MD
Jan 2025
Have a healthy, happy New Year.