David Johnston states: “Although you can’t see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide (CO), this combustion gas is responsible for a larger number of severe chemical poisonings than any other single agent.” Low-level CO exposure (5-50 ppm) causes flu-like symptoms such as drowsiness, nausea, and headaches that can go undiagnosed, while high-levels (50-3000 ppm) cause sever headaches, vomiting, brain damage, and death.
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that blocks the hemoglobin in your blood from carrying oxygen to tissues. The gas is released by combustion appliances, automobiles, and cigarettes. Malfunctioning appliances, like unvented combustion space heaters, gas ranges, leaky wood stoves, and backdrafting vented space heaters present a danger of leakage; backdrafting also leads to high levels of CO. Sadly, CO is a problem in low-income housing, affecting more than 20% in some areas.
CO poisoning causes more than 500 deaths per year and varying levels of exposure to the gas seriously injure many more people. Protect yourself, your home, and your family. Click here to schedule your ecoProach evaluation now!
Sources:
Johnston, David and Kim Master. Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2004.
Krigger, John and Chris Dorsi. Residential Energy, Cost Saving and Comfort for Existing Buildings, Fourth Edition. Helena: Thompson-Shore, Inc., 2004.
