October 9, 2003

 

Carbon Monoxide Is a Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is a known, silent killer, according to George Maher, a safety specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "Carbon monoxide poisoning reduces the ability of the blood to carry oxygen and produces symptoms that are easily blamed on something else. A doctor using a carboxyhemoglobin test can determine the level of carbon monoxide."

Carbon monoxide can affect people at very low levels. As little as one tenth of a percent, can cause chronic headaches, fatigue, dizzy spells, and confusion.

"Homeowners should have a carbon monoxide detector in their home," Maher says. "Regardless of which detector is selected for use in your home, maintain it with care. Replace the battery now, so you can depend on the detector when it is needed. Test your detector on a regular, weekly basis. Know that it is operating the way it is supposed to, and then live and sleep a little more securely."

If combustion gases are present in the air, carbon monoxide will be there too. But, carbon monoxide can be present without the presence of other gases of combustion. It is a by-product of the combustion of flammable fuels. Common producers of carbon monoxide are gas or oil furnaces, gas or oil water heaters, fuel burning space heaters, wood stoves, gas ranges and charcoal and gas grills. "If you have any of these appliances that burn a fuel, you really can’t afford not to have a carbon monoxide detector," Maher says.

A furnace with a cracked or burned through heat exchanger can produce carbon monoxide. If a heat exchanger is defective it can allow combustion gases such as carbon monoxide to spread through the home.

Homes with attached garages have been found to have much higher levels of carbon monoxide than homes with un-attached garages, according to Maher. The higher levels are mainly due to automobile engines running while parked in the attached garage. Carbon monoxide is drawn into the house through doorways connecting the garage to the house.

"Even small engines such as those on snow blowers and lawn mowers should never be run in a garage with the doors closed," Maher says. "Always open the garage door before starting any engine and then wait a few minutes before closing the door after stopping the machine."

It is never safe to operate any kind of grill, charcoal or gas, in the attached garage of your home, even if the doors are open. The burning fuel can produce very high levels of carbon monoxide. Always grill outdoors to minimize carbon monoxide levels in the home.

Using a wood stove in an attached garage, either for heating or disposing of waste paper, can produce dangerous carbon monoxide levels. Only an approved, and properly installed heating system should be used in a garage attached to the home.

A smoke detector may not alert you to low levels of carbon monoxide in the air. But, a carbon monoxide detector will. "That's the difference," Maher says. "If it goes off, get out of the house immediately. Call the fire department from the neighbor’s house or a cell phone, but do not enter the house until the firemen determine it is safe to do so."

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu