WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF CARBON MONOXIDE?

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

	Appliances and heaters in cabins or campers
	Recreational vehicles, boats and aircraft
	Airtight homes with insufficient makeup air for clothes dryers, exhaust fans, etc.

IF YOU DON’T TEST, YOU DON’T KNOW!

Community Awareness Project

CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY

This educational brochure is part of a community service effort intended to provide information to consumers about the hazards of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and suggestions for prevention.

 This brochure is available to download 

Should you decide to use the brochure, all we ask is that you agree to keep the original format and drop bobdwyer@digisys.net an email with your name and organization/company address requesting a registration number.

To download the file to your computer, right click and then save target as........

With some browsers, a user name, password box will come up.  Just click cancel and it should work fine.

Click here for the 1st side of the brochure.

Click here for the 2nd side of the brochure.

What you should know 

to protect your family from

CARBON MONOXIDE

Presented by

AND THE

BACHARACH INSTITUTE 

OF

TECHNICAL TRAINING

Carbon Monoxide is dangerous!

“CO poisoning from the use of fuel burning appliances kills at least 200 people each year and sends more than 5,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars unintentionally left running in attached garages. “                                                *CPSC 1997

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas which could be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) is burning.

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 tent, camper, or room
	You smoke a cigar, cigarette, or pipe
	Your 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 cautioned

9       PPM*       The concentration often found on busy city streets

1 – 9 PPM*       Any increase in indoor CO levels above outside measured readings, warrants further investigation though may not be  an immediate health risk

*PPM = parts per million molecules of air.

  Take These Precautions 

The CPSC 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    (*Consumer Products Safety Commission)

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.

Longterm 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 or exceeds UL 2034 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 will save lives!

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

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.

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!