Safety Made Simple

 

Health and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning


  • At high concentration levels, carbon monoxide can be fatal in minutes. CO rapidly accumulates in the blood and is attracted to the hemoglobin in your bloodstream. When breathed in, CO passes through the lungs and bonds with hemoglobin, displacing the oxygen that cells need to function.
  • Carbon monoxide does not discriminate; everyone is at risk.
  • Early symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu and are often misdiagnosed. Headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness are all non-specific symptoms of CO poisoning.

YOUNG CHILDREN

  • According to the Mayo Clinic (US), 51% of all poisoning cases reported involve children six years old and under.
  • In 1999, nearly 2,200 children under the age of six were accidentally poisoned by CO. (American Association of Poison Control Centers)

PREGANT WOMEN/UNBORN BABIES

  • A pregnant woman may be affected by CO exposure in the same way as a non-pregnant woman; additionally, the contaminated blood/gas compound can be passed on to her unborn child.

ELDERLY

  • 25% of the CO poisoning deaths from home-related products in 2001 were adults 65 years and older. (Consumer Product Safety Commission, US)
  • Older adults more frequently have pre-existing health conditions that affect the heart, lungs and circulatory system. The presence of one or more of these conditions lowers a victim's tolerance and increases the risk of a fatal exposure. (CPSC, US)