Carbon Monoxide:

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. Many fuels that can produce carbon monoxide are common in and around the home, such as natural gas, gasoline, wood and charcoal. Any appliances inside the home that burn one of these fuels can produce hazardous carbon monoxide, especially if they are not working properly. Your water heater, furnace and kitchen range should always be maintained in good working condition. Also be aware that exhaust fumes from attached garages and improperly operating fireplaces can become carbon monoxide hazards. When we breathe, any carbon monoxide in the air displaces oxygen in our red blood cells. Red blood cells absorb carbon monoxide over 200 times more easily than oxygen. The blood cells become saturated with carbon monoxide, and carry the CO to the vital organs instead of oxygen. The organs require oxygen, and begin to suffocate without it. After exposure to carbon monoxide, the body takes much longer to replace the carbon monoxide in the cells with oxygen. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are much like flu symptoms. Mild exposure to carbon monoxide can cause headaches, fatigue and nausea. Medium exposure causes severe headaches, drowsiness, disorientation, confusion and a fast heart rate. Extreme exposure leads to unconsciousness, convulsions, heart attack, coma and possibly death. Carbon monoxide is a concern in older homes primarily because of the older appliances and deferred maintenance. But newer homes are not immune to carbon monoxide contamination. Newer homes are often better sealed for energy efficiency, which limits outside air ventilation. Normally, outside air infiltration replaces the air used by the appliances for combustion. If your home is too well sealed, these appliances can become starved for air and can start producing carbon monoxide. Also vent reversal or downdrafting can occur, where the appliance starts drawing air down the vent because that is now the easiest source for combustion air. The most important precaution for carbon monoxide is prevention. Always back your car out of the garage to let it warm up. Never use ovens or ranges to heat your home. Have your gas appliances serviced regularly, each year for your gas furnace. And to find out quickly if your home becomes contaminated with carbon monoxide, you should install a carbon monoxide detector. Large homes should have carbon monoxide detectors near every living area. The carbon monoxide detector looks much like a smoke alarm. It monitors the air for specific levels of CO over time, and sounds an alarm if that level is exceeded. [ Back to General Home Information ] Schedule Your Inspection Today