Do you sometimes feel dizzy, have a headache, or feel like vomiting for no reason? Do you feel this more often when you are inside a car, in a place with a generator, or in a smoky kitchen? Although we often think of these things as normal, today we are going to talk about a dangerous, silent killer that lurks behind this. That is carbon monoxide poisoning.
What exactly is carbon monoxide?
Simply put, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell, color, or taste . The most dangerous thing about it is that we don't feel it in our environment with our five senses. This gas is produced when any fuel, such as gasoline, diesel, wood, coal, or kerosene, is not burned completely.
Think about the red blood cells in our blood. Their main job is to pick up the oxygen that comes into our lungs when we breathe and carry it throughout our body, especially to the brain and heart. But if we breathe in carbon monoxide, it becomes like a bad friend and combines with our red blood cells before the oxygen. What happens is that the most important organs in our body are deprived of the oxygen they need. This is what we call carbon monoxide poisoning. This can cause serious damage or even death.
Are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) two?
Yes, these two are two types of gases. Many people confuse the two. Let's understand this difference clearly.
| Gas | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide (CO) | A highly toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuel that combines with the blood instead of oxygen. |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | A gas that we exhale and that trees use for photosynthesis. This is what's in soda bottles. It's not as immediately toxic as CO, but can be harmful in high concentrations (e.g., when people are crowded in a poorly ventilated room). |
Remember, carbon monoxide has no smell. If you think the smell coming from a car's exhaust is carbon monoxide, you're wrong. That smell comes from other chemicals in the exhaust.
How does this toxic gas get into our bodies?
In well-ventilated areas, carbon monoxide is not a major concern. However, in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces, this gas can accumulate and reach dangerous levels within minutes.
Dangerous places at home and indoors
- Closed garages: Do not leave a vehicle running , even if the garage door is open. The fumes from the vehicle can leak into the house.
- Gas stoves and appliances: Improperly maintained gas stoves, gas-powered clothes dryers, and water heaters.
- Wood and kerosene stoves: Wood stoves whose chimneys are not properly cleaned, causing smoke to enter the house.
- Generators: It is very dangerous to have a generator inside a house, on a balcony, or near a window, which is used during power outages.
- Fires: If there is a fire in a house, CO poisoning can occur from inhaling smoke.
Risks in the outdoors
- BBQ Grills: Avoid using these indoors or in enclosed areas.
- Camping equipment: Using a stove or heater inside a tent.
- Vehicles: When driving with the tailgate open, smoke can enter the vehicle. So, drive with the windows open.
What are the symptoms of this poisoning?
If you get too much carbon monoxide in your body, it can remove oxygen from your blood. This can cause symptoms like these when your heart and brain don't get enough oxygen:
- Severe headache without cause
- Dizziness and confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
This gas is very dangerous for pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions such as heart disease or asthma . Even lower levels than the average person can harm them.
What are the long-term effects?
If CO poisoning is not treated quickly, it can lead to long-term health problems, including:
- Permanent brain damage
- Memory loss
- Heart disease
- Neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease
What to do if you suspect someone has CO poisoning? (First aid)
This is an emergency! Don't panic and follow these steps.
1. Move to fresh air immediately/move the patient: Leave the area immediately. Open windows and doors. If possible, safely turn off the source of the toxic gas (e.g. generator, vehicle).
2. Seek immediate medical attention: Take the patient to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible. If necessary, call the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service.
3. Get advice: If you need further advice on this, call the National Poison Information Centre located at the Colombo National Hospital .
4. Start CPR (only if necessary): If the patient is unconscious and breathing has stopped or is abnormal, if you are trained, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical help arrives.
What treatments are available at the hospital?
The main treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is 100% pure oxygen .
- For general poisoning: Highly concentrated oxygen is administered through a mask.
- For severe poisoning: In some cases, the patient is placed in a special chamber under high pressure (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) and given oxygen. This forces oxygen into the blood rapidly.
Your doctor will do a blood test (`Carboxyhemoglobin` test) to measure how much CO is in the blood and determine the necessary treatment.
Remember, a typical finger-clip pulse oximeter cannot accurately measure carbon monoxide poisoning. Therefore, if you have symptoms, it is imperative to see a doctor.
How can you escape this danger?
Prevention is always better than cure. By taking care of these simple things, you can keep yourself and your family safe.
Equipment maintenance
- Have your gas stove, water heater, and any fuel-powered appliance inspected annually by a qualified technician.
- If you have a wood-burning stove, regularly check the chimney for blockages and keep it clean.
Generators and outdoor equipment
- Never use emergency generators in a garage or basement. Keep them outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows and doors.
- Things like barbecue grills and camping stoves should only be used outdoors.
Take care of vehicles.
- Check your vehicle's exhaust system (silencer) for leaks at least once a year.
- Do not leave a vehicle running inside a garage attached to your home. Even if the garage door is open, smoke can still enter the house.
Carbon Monoxide Detector
Although this is not very common in our country, it is a very valuable device that can save lives. It is like a fire alarm, if the level of CO in the air increases, it will sound a loud sound and warn us. You can buy these at hardware stores. You can ensure safety by installing one, especially near bedrooms and on every level of the house.
Take-Home Message
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer with no smell, taste, or color.
- Generators, vehicle exhaust, and poorly maintained stoves and water heaters are major sources of risk.
- Be aware of symptoms such as unexplained headaches, dizziness, and vomiting. These could be signs of CO poisoning.
- If you suspect someone has CO poisoning, immediately move them to fresh air and take them to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU).
- Prevention is the best way to prevent this. Maintain your appliances properly, ensure proper ventilation, and install a CO detector if possible. It will save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
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