This video discusses the silent killer- carbon monoxide. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors that work on each floor, especially the floor where the bedrooms are. This is the time of the year everyone starts using their furnaces. Be safe!!!!
Carbon
Monoxide
What You Can't See or
Smell Can Hurt You
It's winter. John has
been feeling "under the weather" all week. He appears to be fine at
work, but at home he experiences severe headaches and weakness. He notices that
other household members are also ill and his young children are most severely
affected. Even the family pet does not seem to feel well. The medication he
purchased for the family to relieve their flu-like symptoms did not seem to be
working. What could be causing the family's illness?
The source of the
family's illness is a kerosene heater which has not been working properly.
Malfunctioning gas, oil, and kerosene heaters can release carbon
monoxide gas (CO), which presents a serious health threat. CO is a
colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating gas. These properties make
CO especially dangerous, because it cannot be detected without special testing
of the air quality.
When inhaled, CO
reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry and the amount of oxygen
delivered to all vital organs. The organs at greatest risk of injury are those
with the highest requirements for oxygen — the heart and brain. Symptoms of a
mild exposure to CO include headache, shortness of breath during mild exertion
and fatigue. Continued exposure to CO may result in nausea, vomiting, visual
disturbances and difficulty in concentrating. Prolonged exposure and lack of
medical treatment may lead to serious and long-term effects and may even be
life-threatening. The very young and the very old are most sensitive to the
effects of CO.
Some symptoms of CO
poisoning, such as, headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue, can be confused
with the common flu. However, flu is passed from one family member to another,
and usually does not affect everyone in the family at the same time. Symptoms
of the flu do not improve after leaving the house; and are usually relieved
with proper medication. CO poisoning, on the other hand, will simultaneously
produce symptoms in the entire family, including the family pets. Symptoms may
improve upon leaving the area of exposure; and are not relieved with
medication.
John and his family
should immediately go to an emergency room and not return home until the
malfunctioning heater has been fixed or replaced. The gas company, oil company
or local health authority provides help in identifying and removing sources of
CO contamination.
Other sources of CO
poisoning include house fires and, occasionally, paint strippers containing
methylene chloride.
Sources of Carbon
Monoxide
·
Malfunctioning gas,
oil or kerosene heater
·
Hot water heaters
·
House fires
·
Occasionally, paint
strippers containing methylene chloride
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