You may be exposed to Carbon Monoxide when:

You leave your car, truck or van running.

You burn charcoal, alcohol or gasoline in an enclosed test, camper or room.

You smoke a cigar, cigarette or pipe.

You home contains an incorrectly vented or malfunctioning hot water heater, furnace, space heater, fireplace or stove.

How does Carbon Monoxide harm you?

Quite simply, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from being used by your body.  Carbon monoxide is poisonous and can harm your central nervous system.

 Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide.  However, individuals with existing health problems such as heart and lung disease and the elderly are especially vulnerable.  Infants, children and pregnant women are also at risk.

 HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? 

These levels should be referenced to the effects on healthy people.  Health effects can vary significantly based on age, sex, weight, and overall state of health.

	12,000 PPM*	Death within 1 – 3 minutes
	1600 PPM*	Nausea within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour
	800 PPM*	Nausea and convulsions – death within 2 hours
	400 PPM*	Frontal headaches 1-2 hours life threatening within 3 hours
	50 PPM*	Maximum level for continuous exposure in an 8 hour workday
	10–35 PPM*	Marginal Small children, elderly, and those suffering respiratory or heart problems
	9 PPM*	The concentration often found on busy city streets
	1 – 9 PPM*	Any increase of CO from outside warrants further investigation but may not be an   immediate health risk
		*PPM = parts per million molecules of air

Take These Precautions 

The CPSC* (Consumer Products Safety Commission) recommends that consumers have their furnaces, water heaters, and other fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly by a qualified service professional, Chairman Ann Brown says. **"And every home should have at least one CO detector that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories standards."   *CPSC 1997

**Underwriters Laboratories standards are not adequate to protect infants, the elderly, smokers, and individuals in generally poor health. 

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning mimics many common illnesses, such as the flu and food poisoning. 

Common symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning: 

This list is not meant to serve as a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is meant to provide information on carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.  Always check with your doctor. 

Long term Exposure 

Health effects are related to the level of CO concentration and length of exposure.  New studies indicate that chronic, low level exposure can have serious health consequences. 

What can I do to protect myself and my family? 

• Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas.  

• Don’t start or leave running cars, trucks, or other vehicles in an enclosed area. 

• Every home should have at least one CO detector that meets UL standards.

• Have your furnace and other fuel burning appliances cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional once a year or before each heating season. 

• Make sure your service professional tests each appliance using a testing instrument that can detect carbon monoxide. 

• Don’t wait until symptoms occur!  BE SAFE!

CO detectors & properly maintained combustion appliances can save lives!

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can help alert you to increased levels of carbon monoxide in your home, but they are not foolproof! 

The UL standard for carbon monoxide detectors presumes healthy occupants. Healthy adults are at low risk of serious CO poisoning at low-level exposure. Infants, the elderly, smokers, and individuals in generally poor health are at significantly higher risk from low-level CO exposure. 

What to do if you suspect Carbon Monoxide is present in your home?

Call: If your detector alarm sounds and you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, leave your home immediately and call your local emergency services number or 911 if it is available in your area.

CHECK: If your detector alarm sounds and you have no symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: First check the detector, push the reset button (if available). Get fresh air to the building, and check for sources of carbon monoxide. Turn off any suspicious or obviously malfunctioning appliances or other sources of combustion.  Levels of CO higher than those measured outside warrants further investigation, though may not be an immediate health risk. Contact a qualified service or repair company who can test for CO with proper test instruments.

Selecting the right CO Detector

All Detectors are Not Created Equal

CO Experts has accuracy that is not available in the UL 2034 Listed CO Alarm Detectors that utilize some other sensor technology besides electrochemical or infrared science.

Often the inexpensive carbon monoxide alarms do not have the level of accuracy required to protect all people. Individuals with heart and respiratory difficulties, pregnant women, infants and small children may all need better protection.

CO Alarm Independent Test

ALWAYS

If you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and you do not have a detector, leave your home, and call your emergency services number or 911 immediately!

Remember there are many more possible sources & causes of Carbon Monoxide

*Common household appliances should not normally produce Carbon Monoxide, but CO production is possible if they are malfunctioning or not vented properly.  Have all combustion appliances tested yearly.

COSA RAISES AWARENESS

IF YOU DON’T TEST, YOU DON’T KNOW! 

For information on COSA Carbon Monoxide Training call 1-800-394-5253.