Carbon monoxide gas is known as the silent killer and with very good reason. In this article, we outline what carbon monoxide gas is and the very real dangers of a leak. We highlight the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how you can prevent a leak from occurring.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Without wishing to drown you in too much technical detail, simply put, carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, flammable gas with no detectable smell, that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide, with the chemical symbol ‘CO’ is comprised of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom and is the simplest molecule of the oxo carbon family. It is a main ingredient in many processes in the industrial chemistry.
How is it Produced?
In industry, carbon monoxide is produced as a by-product of combustion. In the home, various common household items, such as portable generators, charcoal grills, gas fires and oil-burning furnaces all produce carbon monoxide gas when the fuel used within them does not fully burn.
What are the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide?
Due to its tasteless and odourless nature, carbon monoxide is undetectable to humans, which means you can be breathing it in without knowing. By breathing it in, you can become extremely unwell and at high levels, death can occur. Sadly, according to data from the NHS, around 60 deaths a year occur in England and Wales from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
When carbon monoxide enters your bloodstream after being breathed in, it mixes with haemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body) to form a compound called carboxyhaemoglobin. This renders blood unable to carry oxygen meaning that the tissue and cells that make up the human body begin to fail and die.
What Are The Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
At low levels, a tension-type headache is frequently the first indicator of mild carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to the NHS website, other symptoms include:
- dizziness
- feeling and being sick
- tiredness and confusion
- stomach pain
- shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
The NHS state that symptoms of exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can feel similar to those of the flu and food poisoning. They point out that unlike flu, a high temperature is not a symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms might fade when away from the source of carbon monoxide but can get continually worse with prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide and the longer you are exposed, the worse your symptoms will be. With increasing exposure, loss of balance, vision and memory can occur and eventually, a loss of consciousness or death.
How Can Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Be Prevented?
There are many ways in which you can help towards preventing carbon monoxide poisoning within the home. It’s important to:
- Maintaining and service appliances
Household items such as boilers, heating systems, cookers and other appliances should be installed and have regular servicing by a reputable, registered engineer and not by yourself. The engineer must be registered with a relevant association, such as Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) if you have solid fuel appliances, Gas Safe Register for any gas appliances and the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) for appliances using oil.
- Maintaining chimneys and flues
Have all flues and chimneys swept regularly by a qualified chimney sweep. They should be a member of either the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS), Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps or Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS).
- Engine exhaust fumes
You should not leave cars or lawnmowers that utilise petrol running in the garage. Have your car’s exhaust checked every year for leaks and ensure that it is not blocked before turning the engine on. This can occur in circumstances such as after a heavy fall of snow.
- Carbon monoxide alarms
It’s essential to install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home so that you can be alerted if there’s a carbon monoxide leak. These can be purchased on the internet or from any good DIY or hardware store. It should be approved to the latest British or European Standard which is BS Kitemark or EN50291. From 1st October 2015, private sector landlords must have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (eg a coal fire, wood burning stove)..
- Good ventilation
If you do suspect a carbon monoxide leak, switch off all appliances and open doors and windows to ventilate your home then leave immediately and do not return until safe to do so. Call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999 to report the leak or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Gas Safety Advice Line on 0800 300 363. Seek immediate medical help too.
