Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been called the “silent killer”. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas. Because of this, many people never know that they have been poisoned. It is estimated that 1,500 people are killed each year in North America and many more are injured with tragic disabilities, thus making carbon monoxide the leading cause of accidental poisoning in North America.

Carbon Monoxide Can Cause Illness Or Death

Carbon monoxide is the result of incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel such as natural gas, gasoline, propane and wood. Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood, a condition known as carboxhemoglobin (Cohb) saturation. As the level of carbon monoxide rises in the blood, the percentage of COhb gets higher and people get sicker. Just how sick people will get varies from person to person, depending on age, overall health, and the concentration of exposure and the length of exposure. The people most at risk are the very young or the elderly. Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms., commonly confused with the flu, include:

• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Vomiting

At higher levels or larger concentrations a person will become unconscious and death may result.

Keeping Natural Air Flow In Your Home

As we prepare our homes for the long winter months we may be endangering our families as well as ourselves. Canadians are on a never-ending quest to lower heating costs and save money. New homes today are being built with more energy-saving insulation, doors and windows while older homes are being upgraded with new windows, more insulation and other energy-saving tactics. By doing this, homeowners are removing the natural air flow that occurs in their home. These natural air currents replace the stale air in your home with fresh oxygen, which in turn is used in the combustion process of your furnace.

When these natural air currents are removed and your home becomes “airtight” your heating appliances may actually re-burn the exhaust gases and produce dangerous levels of CO. Other causes of CO may be:

• Cracked heat exchanger in your furnace
• Cracked chimney or liner
• Furnace room that has been walled in and does not have a fresh supply of oxygen
• An automobile idling in the garage even with the door open
• A fireplace that has not been properly maintained

To protect yourself and your family you should ensure that:

• All fuel burning appliances are inspected, cleaned and installed by qualified repair personnel
• The furnace area has an adequate supply of fresh air
• You never leave your car running in the garage
• You have a few windows open at night just a crack to circulate the fresh air

Not only will this protect you from CO but it’s also good for your health and your family’s safety.

You can also purchase a carbon monoxide detector from a hardware or department store. There are currently two major types of detectors on the market:

• One type operates on Biomimetic technology which simulates your body’s response to CO. This type is usually battery powered
• The other type of detector operates on electrical current and has a gas sensor that detects CO in the air. This type is usually plugged into a standard 110-volt wall outlet.

When installing a detector, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on installation and placement to ensure that the device will work properly. Most manufacturers recommend installing the detector in the sleeping area for early detection and, if desired, installing a second detector in the furnace area.

What To Do If Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm Goes Off

If your CO detector has gone into alarm vacate your home and call 9-1-1

Additional Information

• Contact your local furnace service company or your oil, natural gas/propane supplier.
• Call the Greater Madawaska Fire Department.
• Visit the Office of the Fire Marshal website.