Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas.  The burning of almost any fuel produces it.  Carbon monoxide poisoning usually results from burning fuel for light, warmth or cooking in unventilated or poorly ventilated areas.

Why Is It Dangerous?

Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen in the human body.  Because it is 210 times stronger binding to blood than oxygen, it is a very powerful poison.

What are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Early symptoms include headache, nausea, shortness of breath and sometimes vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, clumsiness, fainting, inappropriate mood swings, irritability, and increased heart rate (pulse).

Symptoms of severe poisoning include blue-tinged skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis), full or partial blindness, chest pain, coma, abnormal heart rhythms, and heart failure.

The progression of symptoms with increasing concentration of gas and length of exposure are as follows:

• problems with coordination
  

• headache and a feeling of tightness in the temples
  

• throbbing headache with confusion and blurred vision
  

• rapid breathing and pulse, fainting and loss of consciousness
  

• deep coma, convulsions, shock, and respiratory and heart failure

What to do if You Suspect Poisoning?

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, the person should be immediately removed from the source of the gas and medical attention should be sought without delay.  Treatment involves the administration of high concentrations of oxygen.  Delayed treatment can result in death or permanent damage to the brain and other vital organs.