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Household
Hints & HELP!
Carbon
Monoxide
submitted
by Lorene Bartos, Extension Educator
This article appears in the August 15,
2004 Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper.
Are
you aware of the risks of carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide
(CO) is an odorless, colorless, gas that can be fatal when
breathed. Hundreds of people are killed each year by CO.
Many others become sick because of the affects of carbon
monoxide. Low levels of CO can cause nausea, dizziness,
weakness and muscle ache. High doses can cause impaired
judgement, paralysis, coma and death.
Build-up
of carbon monoxide can occur in the following ways:
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Flues or chimneys become blocked (such as by a bird
nest), disconnected, rusted or broken.
-
Fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace, has a cracked
heat exchange allowing gases into the living spaces
instead of being exhausted up the chimney or flue.
-
Unvented fuel-burning heaters (such as kerosene or gas)
are operated in the home without adequate ventilation.
-
Charcoal cookers, grills or hibachis are operated inside
the home.
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Gas ovens are improperly used for space heating.
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Exhaust from an idling car, lawn mower or other engines
in an attached garage enter the home.
-
Combustion equipment is poorly maintained. Yellow flame
is sometimes an indication carbon monoxide is being
produced; blue flame means more complete combustion
and fewer pollutants.
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Lower indoor air pressure compared to the outdoors prevents
adequate venting of natural draft combustion equipment.
Every
home should consider installing a carbon monoxide detector
with an audible warning. A carbon monoxide detector will
alert you to high or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide
and give you time to get out or ventilate the home. A carbon
monoxide detector will not always indicate low levels of
carbon monoxide. Regular maintenance, inspection and safe
operation of combustion equipment is very important to keep
carbon monoxide from developing.
Always
operate combustion equipment for its intended purpose and
make sure it is installed properly. Carbon monoxide is known
as the silent killer. Don’t let it attack you or your family
- check your home and equipment.
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