Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious condition caused by breathing in carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide (chemical formula, CO) is produced in the burning of material that contains carbon, such as charcoal, gasoline, or wood. People and animals can become ill or die from breathing in carbon monoxide. It is one of the most common causes of poisoning death worldwide.
Common sources of carbon monoxide include automobile engines, charcoal and gas grills, fireplaces, furnaces, hot-water heaters, and generators fueled by kerosene. Many such devices have an exhaust system or chimney to channel the gas away, preventing it from building up in enclosed spaces. Outside, the gas blends into the atmosphere, never reaching concentrations that can cause poisoning. However, carbon monoxide can accumulate in dangerous concentrations if an indoor device is not functioning properly. CO poisoning can also result from improperly using a device indoors—for example, running an automobile in a closed garage.
Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because people often do not know they have breathed it until symptoms of poisoning appear. In addition, many symptoms of CO poisoning are often mistaken for those of other common ailments, such as the flu.
Symptoms
of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. Continued exposure to carbon monoxide can produce loss of consciousness and death. Symptoms may go unnoticed if the poisoning occurs during sleep.
The symptoms of CO poisoning result from carbon monoxide binding to red blood cells and other cells in the body. The carbon monoxide blocks the uptake of oxygen by the cells. Without oxygen, the cells and tissues of the body are damaged and die. Nerve cells are especially sensitive to a lack of oxygen.
Treatment.
Physicians treat CO poisoning by administering oxygen. In mild cases, paramedics or other emergency workers can give oxygen through a face mask. The oxygen removes carbon monoxide from blood cells and other cells in the body. Severe cases may require hospitalization and prolonged oxygen therapy. In some cases, physicians may administer hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In this treatment, the patient breathes pure oxygen at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. Under such high pressure, more oxygen is dissolved into the blood and carried to the tissues and organs and CO is removed faster from the red blood cells and other tissues of the body.
Many patients with mild or moderate CO poisoning recover completely. However, patients who survive severe CO poisoning often experience long-term effects. Some of them may develop long-term neurological (nervous) or psychiatric conditions.
Prevention
is the most effective way to avoid the dangers of CO poisoning. People can start by understanding the dangers of carbon monoxide and its possible sources. Heating and cooking systems should be properly installed and maintained regularly. An essential part of prevention is to install a carbon-monoxide detector in the home. Such a device makes a loud, piercing sound when carbon monoxide reaches potentially unhealthy levels.
See also Carbon monoxide ; Carbon-monoxide detector .
