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Because Carbon Monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it is virtually impossible for humans to detect its presence. In fact, Carbon Monoxide is so hard to detect and so deadly, it has earned the nickname "The Silent Killer". The most effective, and often only way, to know if CO is present is with a Carbon Monoxide detector. |
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Monoxide is highly toxic. CO can act on the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time. Because it takes several hours to remove CO from your body, low concentrations of Carbon Monoxide can gradually build up in your blood, causing anything from headaches, nausea, to even coma and death. Carbon Monoxide is the Leading cause of accidental poisoning in America. Each year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands of people are injured as a result of exposure to Carbon Monoxide. In fact, CO causes more accidental poisonings in America than any other chemical substance. And because the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are so common (nausea, dizziness, headaches, etc.) CO poisonings are often misdiagnosed, even by health care professionals. Inadequate ventilation is often a major contributor to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. During winter, when doors and windows tend to be closed, the potential for a CO buildup increases. Decreased ventilation gives the Silent Killer an opportunity to accumulate. Fuel based heaters, a source for Carbon Monoxide, are also used more often in winter, thus further increasing the chance for a Carbon Monoxide incident. Often, fresh air is all that is required to dissipate a low-level Carbon Monoxide buildup in the home. |
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