You should have your fuel-burning appliances ex. It is also a good idea to know the signs of a potential CO problem:. Never use appliances intended for outdoor use inside. Examples include barbecue grills, camp stoves, portable generators or gas-powered lawn equipment.
Do not use an oven to heat your home. Not only is it a fire risk, it is also a carbon monoxide hazard. Do not run or idle your vehicle in an attached garage. Instead, back your vehicle out right away. Identifying CO poisoning can be difficult because the symptoms are similar to the flu. For most people, the first signs of exposure include mild headache and breathlessness with moderate exercise. Continued exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Eventually symptoms may progress to confusion, irritability, impaired judgment and coordination, and loss of consciousness.
Minnesota state law MN Statute F. Also, the elderly and young children are at a greater risk for CO poisoning than adults. Individuals engaging in strenuous activity have also been found to be at greater risk. Although CO poisoning cases are higher during the winter months, there are situations where people can be exposed to high levels of CO during the summer. Vehicles including boats produce carbon monoxide.
Devices such as camp stoves, barbecue grills and non-electric heaters are commonly used during recreational activities and also are sources of CO. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu but without the fever. They include:. Symptom severity is related to both the CO level and the duration of exposure. For rapidly developing, high level CO exposures e.
The health effects of CO depend on the CO concentration and length of exposure, as well as each individual's health condition. CO concentration is measured in parts per million ppm. Most people will not experience any symptoms from prolonged exposure to CO levels of approximately 1 to 70 ppm but some heart patients might experience an increase in chest pain.
As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea. At sustained CO concentrations above to ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. You could lose consciousness and die if you stay in the home. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems.
Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning. If the doctor confirms CO poisoning, make sure a qualified service person checks the appliances for proper operation before reusing them. CO alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The safety standards for CO alarms have been continually improved and currently marketed CO alarms are not as susceptible to nuisance alarms as earlier models.
Consumers should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a test button tests whether the circuitry is operating correctly, not the accuracy of the sensor. Alarms have a recommended replacement age, which can be obtained from the product literature or from the manufacturer. CO alarms should be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. CPSC recommends that one CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home.
CO alarms may be installed into a plug-in receptacle or high on the wall. Hard wired or plug-in CO alarms should have battery backup. Avoid locations that are near heating vents or that can be covered by furniture or draperies. Never ignore an alarming CO alarm! It is warning you of a potentially deadly hazard. If authorities allow you to return to your home, and your alarm reactivates within a 24 hour period, repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate for sources of CO from all fuel burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment.
If problems are identified during this inspection, have the equipment serviced immediately. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not been, operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence. What factors determine the danger level? For instance, a concentration of ppm will cause headaches in 1 to 2 hours. In 3 to 5 hours the same concentration can lead to unconsciousness and death.
Physical exertion, with an accompanying increase in respiration rate, shortens the time to critical levels by 2 or 3 fold. Since 50 ppm is the Occupation Health and Safety limit, is it safe for all people? Respiratory capacity decreases and the risk of heart attack increases at levels well below 50 ppm.
The EPA level of 9 ppm appears to be a reasonable limit in homes. When should CO poisoning be suspected? Some clues for a family include:. What should be done for someone who suffers from CO poisoning? They should immediately be moved into fresh air and medical authorities consulted.
Treatment depends on the amount of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream and assessment of the patient. Often oxygen is administered. In severe cases, patients are treated in a hyperbaric chamber. This is a pressurized oxygen chamber. The combination of oxygen and elevated pressure quickly and thoroughly forces carbon monoxide from the body. Following are the locations of hyperbaric chambers in Iowa. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in fresh air is approximately 4 hours.
To completely flush the carbon monoxide from the body requires several hours, valuable time when additional damage can occur. Medical treatment, using oxygen or hyperbaric chambers, can reduce CO damage, speed recovery, and reduce medical problems. After CO exposure how long do the effects last? When people lose consciousness due to carbon monoxide poisoning, they will typically have relapses for several weeks.
They will suffer from headache, fatigue, loss of memory, difficulty in thinking clearly, irrational behavior, and irritability. Recover can be slow and frustrating.
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