Changing seasons: Understanding carbon monoxide

  • Published
  • By Greg Chesser
  • Chief, Fire Prevention
F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. --  Although the popularity of carbon monoxide alarms has grown in recent years, and all base housing units have them installed, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane burn incompletely. Heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. 

Causes of carbon monoxide in the home: 

Fuel fired appliances such as gas fired furnaces, hot water heaters, fire places, gas fired appliances, grills and heaters are causes of carbon monoxide overdoses. 

While running a vehicle in a garage, even if the door is up, wind can force vehicle exhaust, which is primarily carbon monoxide until the engine reaches operating temperature back into the residence when the occupant re-enters the home. 

Any alarm from a carbon monoxide detector constitutes an emergency. 

If the detector is in full alarm mode or if occupants are feeling any of the ill effects listed above, call 911 immediately and evacuate to fresh air. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning, while not always a fast killer, is still a killer none the less.

Facts, figures

The dangers of carbon monoxide exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim's health and activity level. 

Infants, pregnant women and people with physical conditions that limit their body's ability to use oxygen (emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of carbon monoxide than healthy adults would be. 

A person can be poisoned by a small amount of carbon monoxide during a longer period of time or by a large amount of carbon monoxide over a shorter amount of time. 

Carbon monoxide enters the body through breathing and poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. 

Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches. 

High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, causing death within minutes.