Carbon Monoxide Dangers From The NFPA

From the National Fire Protection Association

December 17, 2006 - About 100 people have been poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) produced by generators and charcoal grills used for warmth and light during the widespread power outages caused by a major storm in western Washington state, according to an AP report.

Although the popularity of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms has been growing in recent years, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.

Facts & Figures

According to the National Safety Council, 200-300 unintentional-injury deaths a year are due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

The dangers of CO exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim's health and activity level. Infants, pregnant women, and people with physical conditions that limit their body's ability to use oxygen (i.e. emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of CO than healthy adults would be.

A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.

Symptoms of CO poisoning:

CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches. High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes.

The concentration of CO, measured in parts per million (ppm) is a determining factor in the symptoms for an average, healthy adult.

CO - concentration (parts per million) Symptoms
50 - No adverse effects with 8 hours of exposure.
200 - Mild headache after 2-3 hours of exposure.
400 - Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure.
800 - Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure.
1,000 - Loss of consciousness after 1 hour of exposure.
1,600 - Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes of exposure.
3,200 - Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 30 minutes of exposure.
6,400 - Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes of exposure.
12,800 - Immediate physiological effects, unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes of exposure.

Source: NFPA's Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition.

Safety tips in the home:

Install CO alarms (listed by an independent testing laboratory) inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO.CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area. If bedrooms are spaced apart, each area will need a CO alarm.

Call your local fire department's non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.

Post that number by your telephone(s). Make sure everyone in the household knows the difference between the fire emergency and CO emergency numbers (if there is a difference).

Test CO alarms at least once a month and replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions.

CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and CO alarms.

Have fuel-burning heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters) and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in.

When purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory.

When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.

Never use your oven to heat your home.

When buying an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house.

Safety tips outside the home:

If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.

During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.

Only use barbecue grills – which can produce CO – outside. Never use them in the home, garage or near building openings.

When camping, remember to use battery-powered lights in tents trailers, and motor homes.
If your CO alarm sounds

Immediately move to a fresh air location and call for help. Remain at the fresh air location until emergency personnel say it is ok.

If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries or other trouble indicators.

Updated: 12/06