1. Everypoisonhasa particulartraitthat causesit to be poisonous.Inthe case of Carbon Monoxide,
the trait has to dowithhaemoglobininthe blood.
Haemoglobin ismade upof complex proteinsthatbindtoironatoms. The structure of the protein
and itsironatom causesoxygentobindto the ironatom veryloosely.Whenbloodpassesthrough
the lungs,the ironatoms inthe haemoglobinbindtooxygenatoms.Whenthe bloodflowsinto
areas of the bodythat are lackinginoxygen,the ironatomsrelease theiroxygen.The difference in
oxygenpressure inthe lungsandinthe parts of the body needingoxygenisveryslight.The
haemoglobinisveryfinelytunedtoabsorb andrelease oxygenatjustthe righttimes.
Carbonmonoxide,onthe otherhand,bindsverystronglytothe ironinhaemoglobin.Once carbon
monoxide attaches,itisverydifficulttorelease.Soif youbreathincarbon monoxide,itsticksto
your haemoglobinandtakesupall of the oxygenbindingsites.Eventually,yourbloodlosesall of its
abilitytotransportoxygen,andyousuffocate.
Because carbonmonoxide bindstohaemoglobinsostrongly,youcanbe poisonedbycarbon
monoxide evenatverylowconcentrationsif youare exposedforalongperiodof time.
Concentrationsaslowas20 or 30 parts permillion(PPM) canbe harmful if youare exposedfor
several hours.Exposure at2,000 PPMfor one hourwill cause unconsciousness.
Many commondevicesproduce carbonmonoxide,includingcars,gas appliances,woodstovesand
cigarettes.
What iscarbon monoxide (CO) andhowisitproduced?
Carbonmonoxide (CO) isadeadly,colourless,odourless,poisonousgas.Itisproducedby the
incomplete burningof variousfuels,includingcoal,wood,charcoal,oil,kerosene,propane,and
natural gas. Productsand equipmentpoweredbyinternal combustionenginessuchasportable
generators,cars,lawnmowers,andpowerwashersalsoproduce CO.
How manypeople are unintentionallypoisonedbyCO?
On average,about170 people inthe UnitedStatesdie everyyearfromCOproducedbynon-
automotive consumerproducts.Theseproductsincludemalfunctioningfuel-burningappliancessuch
as furnaces,ranges,waterheatersandroomheaters;engine-poweredequipmentsuchasportable
generators;fireplaces;andcharcoal thatis burnedinhomesandotherenclosedareas.In2005
alone,CPSCstaff isaware of at least94 generator-relatedCOpoisoningdeaths.Forty-sevenof these
deathswere knowntohave occurredduringpoweroutagesdue tosevere weather,including
Hurricane Katrina.Still othersdie fromCOproducedbynon-consumerproducts,suchascars left
runninginattachedgarages.The CentersforDisease Control andPrevention estimatesthatseveral
thousandpeople gotohospital emergencyroomseveryyeartobe treatedforCO poisoning.

2. What are the symptomsof CO poisoning?
Because COis odorless,colorless,andotherwiseundetectable tothe humansenses,peoplemaynot
knowthat theyare beingexposed.The initial symptomsof low tomoderate COpoisoningare similar
to the flu(butwithoutthe fever).Theyinclude:
•Headache
•Fatigue
•Shortnessof breath
•Nausea
•Dizziness
Highlevel COpoisoningresultsinprogressivelymore severesymptoms,including:
•Mental confusion
•Vomiting
•Loss of muscularcoordination
•Loss of consciousness
•Ultimatelydeath
Symptomseverityisrelatedtoboththe CO level andthe durationof exposure.Forslowly
developingresidentialCOproblems,occupantsand/orphysicianscanmistake mildtomoderate CO
poisoningsymptomsforthe flu,whichsometimesresultsintragicdeaths.Forrapidlydeveloping,
highlevel COexposures(e.g.,associatedwithuse of generatorsinresidential spaces),victimscan
rapidlybecome mentallyconfused,andcan lose muscle control withouthavingfirstexperienced
mildersymptoms;theywill likelydie if notrescued.

3. How can I preventCOpoisoning?
•Make sure appliancesare installedandoperatedaccordingtothe manufacturer'sinstructionsand
local buildingcodes.Mostappliancesshouldbe installedbyqualifiedprofessionals.Have the heating
systemprofessionallyinspectedandservicedannuallytoensure properoperation.The inspector
shouldalsocheckchimneysandfluesforblockages,corrosion,partial andcompletedisconnections,
and loose connections.
•Neverservice fuel-burningapplianceswithoutproperknowledge,skillandtools.Alwaysreferto
the ownersmanual when performingminoradjustmentsorservicingfuel-burningequipment.
•Neveroperate a portable generatororanyothergasoline engine-poweredtool eitherinornearan
enclosedspace suchasa garage,house,orother building.Evenwithopendoorsandwindows,these
spacescan trap CO and allowitto quicklybuildtolethal levels.
•Install a CO alarm thatmeetsthe requirementsof the currentUL 2034 safetystandard.A COalarm
can provide some addedprotection,butitisno substitute forproperuse andupkeepof appliances
that can produce CO. Install aCO alarmin the hallwayneareveryseparate sleepingareaof the
home.Make sure the alarmcannot be coveredupby furniture ordraperies.
•Neveruse portable fuel-burningcampingequipmentinsideahome, garage,vehicleortentunless
it isspecificallydesignedforuse inanenclosedspace andprovidesinstructionsforsafe use inan
enclosedarea.
•Do not coverthe bottomof natural gas or propane ovenswithaluminumfoil.Doingsoblocksthe
combustion airflowthroughthe appliance andcanproduce CO.
•During home renovations,ensure thatapplianceventsandchimneysare notblockedbytarpsor
debris.Make sure appliancesare inproperworkingorderwhenrenovationsare complete.
What CO level isdangeroustomyhealth?
The healtheffectsof COdependonthe CO concentrationandlengthof exposure,aswell aseach
individual'shealthcondition.COconcentrationismeasuredinpartspermillion(ppm).Mostpeople
will notexperience anysymptomsfromprolongedexposure toCOlevelsof approximately1to 70
ppmbut some heartpatientsmightexperience anincrease inchestpain.AsCOlevelsincreaseand
remainabove 70 ppm, symptomsbecome more noticeableandcaninclude headache,fatigue and
nausea. AtsustainedCOconcentrationsabove 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation,unconsciousness,and
deathare possible.

4. What shouldIdo if I am experiencingsymptomsof COpoisoninganddonothave a CO alarm, or my
CO alarmis not goingoff?
If you think youare experiencinganyof the symptomsof CO poisoning,getoutside tofreshair
immediately.Leave the home andcall yourfire departmenttoreportyoursymptomsfroma
neighbor’shome.Youcouldlose consciousnessanddie if youstayinthe home.It is alsoimportant
to contact a doctor immediatelyforaproperdiagnosis.Tell yourdoctorthatyoususpectCO
poisoningiscausingyourproblems.Promptmedical attentionisimportantif youare experiencing
any symptomsof COpoisoning.If the doctorconfirmsCOpoisoning,make sure aqualifiedservice
personchecksthe appliancesforproperoperationbefore reusingthem.
Are CO alarmsreliable?
CO alarmsalwayshave beenandstill are designedtoalarmbefore potentiallylife-threateninglevels
of COare reached.The safetystandardsforCO alarmshave beencontinuallyimprovedandcurrently
marketedCOalarmsare not as susceptibletonuisance alarmsasearliermodels.
How shouldaconsumertesta CO alarm to make sure it isworking?
Consumersshouldfollow the manufacturer'sinstructions.Usingatestbuttontestswhetherthe
circuitryisoperatingcorrectly,notthe accuracy of the sensor.Alarmshave a recommended
replacementage,whichcanbe obtainedfromthe productliterature orfrom the manufacturer.

5. How shouldIinstall aCO Alarm?
CO alarmsshouldbe installedaccordingtothe manufacturer'sinstructions.CPSCrecommendsthat
one CO alarm be installedinthe hallwayoutside the bedroomsineachseparate sleepingareaof the
home.COalarms maybe installedintoaplug-inreceptacleorhighonthe wall.Hard wiredor plug-in
CO alarmsshouldhave batterybackup.Avoidlocationsthatare nearheatingventsorthat can be
coveredbyfurniture ordraperies.CPSCdoesnotrecommendinstallingCOalarmsinkitchensor
above fuel-burningappliances.
What shouldyoudowhenthe CO alarm sounds?
Neverignore analarmingCOalarm!It is warningyouof a potentiallydeadlyhazard.
If the alarmsignal soundsdonot try to findthe source of the CO:
•Immediatelymoveoutsidetofreshair.
•Call your emergencyservices,fire department,or911.
•Aftercalling911, do a headcountto check that all personsare accountedfor.DO NOT reenterthe
premisesuntil the emergencyservicesrespondershave givenyoupermission.Youcouldlose
consciousnessanddie if yougointhe home.
•If the source of the CO isdeterminedtobe amalfunctioningappliance,DONOToperate that
appliance until ithasbeenproperlyservicedbytrainedpersonnel.
If authoritiesallowyoutoreturnto yourhome,andyour alarmreactivateswithina24 hourperiod,
repeatsteps1, 2 and3 and call a qualifiedappliance techniciantoinvestigate forsourcesof COfrom
all fuel burningequipmentandappliances,andinspectforproperoperationof thisequipment.If
problemsare identifiedduringthisinspection,have the equipmentservicedimmediately.Note any
combustionequipmentnotinspectedbythe technicianandconsultthe manufacturers’instructions,
or contact the manufacturersdirectly,formore informationaboutCOsafetyandthisequipment.

6. Make sure that motorvehiclesare not,andhave not been,operatinginanattachedgarage or
adjacentto the residence.