Carbon Monoxide - Silent, but Deadly
What is CARBON MONOXIDE?
We're sure that you all paid attention in science class, but here's a brief intro to CO. It is a toxic gas that can be found in homes and buildings where combustion byproducts are produced and allowed to disperse. Colorless, tasteless and odorless, it is a major hazard and is usually produced when partial and improper burning of fossil fuels occurs.
So, what is it doing in MY HOME?
Common sources of CO in the home are household appliances that burn fossil fuels, like oil and gas furnaces, water heaters, improperly installed or faulty gas ovens, space heaters and wood or gas fireplaces. Clogged or blocked chimney openings, unvented space heaters, car exhaust fumes, and barbeque grills or powered outdoor equipment being used in or close to the home are the chief causes of CO emissions.
Why is it DANGEROUS?
The early symptoms of CO poisoning such as headaches, nausea and fatigue are often mistaken for the flu, so the gas goes undetected in the home, putting your family, especially children and pets at risk.
As a poison, CO is lethal at elevated levels. Continued exposure to it, at lower levels, increases health risks as well. If you smell exhaust gases, CO is always present, though odorless by itself. In small quantities, CO can be concealed and add to nagging illnesses. It can increase preexisting health problems, lead to brain damage and can go undiagnosed in premature deaths.
|
POTENTIAL THREAT LEVEL |
CO LEVEL |
|
Death within 1 – 3 minutes |
12,000 PPM |
|
Nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour |
1600 PPM |
|
Nausea and convulsions – death within 2 hours |
800 PPM |
|
Frontal headaches 1-2 hours life threatening within 3 hours |
400 PPM |
|
Maximum level for continuous exposure in an 8 hour workday |
50 PPM |
|
Marginal threat to small children, elderly, and those suffering respiratory or heart problems |
10–35 PPM |
|
The concentration often found on busy city streets |
9 PPM |
|
An increase in CO calls for further investigation to nip the problem in the bud |
0 - 9 PPM |
|
PPM = parts per million molecules of air
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Okay okay, so what should I do ABOUT IT?
Installing a Carbon Monoxide alarm on each level of the home is the first line of defense that homeowners have against this silent killer. Have a building performance inspector come by and perform a solid inspection of all the areas and appliances/systems that are common causes of CO emissions using all of the appropriate equipment.
Next, use a qualified, trained professional to purchase and install all of your appliances and have them inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating systems (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Do not let the car idle in the garage.
Pick accurately sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards and ensure certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly. Keep flues open when using fireplaces. Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
How do I choose THE SOLUTION?
Trained and experienced Home Energy Auditors using the right electrochemical sensor-based test instruments can accurately measure the exhaust of these systems during the energy audit of your home and decrease the danger by correcting the diagnosed problem. Building pressure diagnostics are useful in attaining the proper dispersion of CO and making sure that it is not being caused by opposing pressures and that all energy systems are operating safely, efficiently and as intended by the manufacturer.
