Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In The Home

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Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and nearly odorless gas or liquid. It is also extremely poisonous. Frequent exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to serious health problems, even death, because it restricts the the body's ability to deliver oxygen to internal organs. Many people are unaware of the dangers that carbon monoxide presents, and do not inspect their homes for carbon monoxide levels. Because you can find carbon monoxide in many locations in and around the home, such as in woodstoves and furnaces, it is critical to take preventative steps to ensure that carbon monoxide fumes never increase to dangerous levels.

The effects from carbon monoxide can vary from person to person. While low levels of carbon monoxide usually cause no harm, moderate levels can cause impaired vision, headaches, dizziness and nausea. High levels of carbon monoxide can lead to cardiovascular problems, central nervous system problems and reduced brain function, even in the healthiest of people.

There are many precautions that you can take to make sure that you and your family stay guarded from this danger. Since homes typically have some levels of carbon monoxide, it is important to monitor the levels to insure they stay within the permissible range. A low level of 0.5 to 5 parts per million, or ppm, can be discovered in most homes. Levels near an object that emits carbon dioxide like a gas oven or a wood stove will be higher, in the range of 5 to 15 ppm. Carbon monoxide levels are considered high if they reach levels of 30 ppm or more. This is typically discovered near a stove or furnace that needs adjustment or is faulty in some way. Other sources of carbon monoxide include kerosene, gas heaters, chimneys, furnaces, fireplaces, generators and anything else that is gas powered, including automobiles.

Every homeowner can employ their own strategies to keep this threat in check. One of the most important and practical methods is to have gas appliances and heating units inspected to ensure that they are property adjusted on in good working order. Space heaters should only be operated in areas of the home that have the proper ventilation. Gas stoves should have exhaust fans to make sure that fumes are emitted out of doors. If you use a woodstove for heat, inspect the unit to make sure that the construction is up to EPA standards for carbon monoxide emissions. You can find these numbers on their website. If leaks are found in your home after a professional inspection, be sure to have them repaired quickly, even if the unit or appliances is not used regularly. Finally, make sure that cars are never left to idle in a closed garage, the presence of carbon monoxide can quickly rise to deadly levels.

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