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Carbon Monoxide (CO)
What Everyone Should Know
What is CO?
Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odourless, colourless, tasteless and non-irritating.
When CO is breathed into the body in large amounts, it crowds out life-sustaining oxygen from red
blood cells and prevents the body from absorbing oxygen. When the body’s organs, including the
heart and brain, do not get enough oxygen, they do not function properly. Exposure to very low
CO levels generally has no harmful effects. However CO can accumulate even at low levels over a
long period in time and cause illness.
What are the Symptoms of CO Poisoning?
Exposure to CO can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, burning eyes,
vomiting or loss of muscle control. As there could be many other causes for these symptoms,
including the flu, CO poising is sometimes difficult to diagnose.
The severity of the symptoms will vary depending upon the length and concentration of CO
exposure, the person’s general health and their level of physical activity. Prolonged exposure to
high concentrations of CO can lead to unconsciousness and brain damage. In very severe cases CO
poising can be fatal. Any levels over 9PPM (Parts per Million) could be considered a potentially
dangerous level.
Other warning signs include stale or stuffy air, excessive moisture on windows and walls, soot
build up around appliances and vents, a yellow flame in a natural gas appliance rather than blue,
and a pilot light that keeps going out.
Where does CO Come From?
Carbon Monoxide comes from the incomplete combustion of common fuels including propane,
heating oil, natural gas, gasoline, coal, wood, charcoal and kerosene and from almost any other
combustible material such as tobacco, fibres and paper.
How do I Prevent the Risk of CO Poising?
The first line of defence in preventing CO poising is the proper installation, use, maintenance and
inspection of your fuel-burning appliances.
The second line of defence is a ULC or CSA approved CO Detector. However CO Detectors are
not a substitute for the safe and proper use of vehicles and appliances. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions when installing your CO Detector and carefully place it in the
recommended location.
What can I do to Prevent CO in my Home?
Never operate vehicles in an enclosed area, such as a garage, or leave children or pets
alone in your vehicle while it is idling.
Always have a fresh source of air when using an open fireplace. A fireplace can use up to
10 times the amount of air as compared to your furnace.
Never use a gas range, oven, clothes dryer or unvented space heater to heat your home.
Heating your home with a non-vented gas appliance is prohibited by code in Alberta.
Always maintain and properly use your fuel-burning appliances. Installations and repairs
need to be completed by qualified contractors.
Never block or plug a furnace combustion air intake or try to seal up a draft hood, wind cap
or exhaust vent on any natural gas appliance.
Always keep all flue vents and chimneys clear of debris and other blockages such as bird
nests and snow.
Never use a charcoal barbecue grill, portable gas grill or other similar equipment inside a
home, tent, garage or other enclosed area.
Always ensure the panels and grills on your furnace are kept in place and that the fan door
is on and secure at all times.
So if you suspect a CO problem in your home or someone in your home is experiencing CO poisoning or
if your CO Detector is sounding have everyone leave the premises promptly. Dial 9-1-1 from a
neighbour’s house or a cell phone from outside your residence and have your local Fire Department
respond. If persons are ill you will also need Medical assistance. Your local gas provider may also need to
be involved to point out the problem areas.
Now you know that Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can make you ill or even kill you and
members of your family, so use your fuel-burning appliances wisely and remember that “Safety if an
Attitude”.
Keith R. Martin
Manager of Fire & Emergency Services
County of Newell
Rev. January 9, 2014