A colorless, odorless gas known as carbon monoxide claims the lives of hundreds of people each year and causes sickness in thousands of others. Small amounts won’t cause significant harm, but prolonged exposure can lead to serious tissue damage and even death.
Chances are, you have multiple sources of carbon monoxide in your home, so it’s vital to be aware of the dangers of this gas and how to maintain a safe level to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide — also known by its chemical formula, CO — is a gas that is produced by many household items, including furnaces, portable generators, charcoal grills, engines, space heaters, gas-powered appliances, automobiles, and fireplaces. Because it has no odor or color, it’s virtually undetectable without special tools, making it an oft-neglected and unexpected threat.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning lie in its effect on hemoglobin, which is a component of your red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. When you breathe in too much carbon monoxide, it attaches to the hemoglobin, preventing the red blood cells from distributing the oxygen you need.
In small amounts, CO can cause flu-like symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and confusion. Breathing it at low levels for a prolonged period of time can cause permanent mental and physical issues.
Exposure to high levels of CO causes more severe symptoms, including loss of consciousness, coma, and death. People who are asleep or under the influence of alcohol can be killed before they even have any symptoms.
What Is a Safe Level of Carbon Monoxide?
The concentration of carbon monoxide in the air is measured in parts per million (ppm). Most carbon monoxide detectors alert you when the CO levels exceed 80 ppm; however, it can cause health issues long before it reaches that point.
The “safe” level of CO varies depending on exposure time, and there’s no consensus on standards for indoor air quality. The U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards for outdoor air are 9 ppm for 8 hours of exposure and 35 ppm for one hour of exposure. According to OSHA guidelines, the permissible exposure limit is 50 ppm for 8 hours, regardless of whether it’s indoors or outdoors.
The Effect of Furnaces
At Genuine Comfort, we have seen firsthand the effect of carbon monoxide on health. We once had a customer who experienced frequent headaches and migraines. She visited doctor after doctor, but they found no physical cause for her pain.
We eventually discovered that the CO levels in this customer’s home were at 15 ppm. While this concentration is lower than what’s typically considered hazardous, the prolonged exposure was enough to cause her headaches. After we replaced her furnace, she found relief from her ongoing pain and was able to experience a much better quality of life.
We typically recommend replacing your furnace when CO levels reach 15 ppm.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home
The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is installing CO detectors in various locations around your home, especially bedrooms. Check the batteries every six months — many people find it easier to remember if they do it at the same time as they check the batteries in their smoke detectors. Consider opting for a detector with a digital readout that allows you to continuously monitor CO levels.
In addition to investing in CO detectors, you can take the following steps to prevent carbon monoxide from building up in your home:
- Open your garage door before starting your car, and have a professional technician check the exhaust system for leaks periodically.
- Only use gas appliances as intended, and never heat your home with a gas oven.
- Ensure adequate space around fuel-burning appliances.
- Keep all vents and chimneys unblocked during home remodeling projects.
- Stay on top of fireplace maintenance, no matter what type of fuel it uses.
- Never burn charcoal, run a generator, or use a portable gas camp stove indoors — even in your garage.
- Use an exhaust fan over gas stoves and ensure all gas appliances are vented properly.
- Regularly seek professional tune-ups and maintenance for your central heating system.
Ensure Your Heating System’s Safety with Genuine Comfort
At Genuine Comfort, we know how important it is to keep you and your family safe from the hazards of carbon monoxide. That’s why we recommend regular HVAC system tune-ups, which allow us to test your home’s CO levels and ensure your furnace is operating properly.
As the temperatures grow cooler and you begin using your heating system once more, it’s the perfect time to get your furnace serviced and ensure you’re protected from carbon monoxide. Call us today to learn more about how we can help keep you safe this fall and winter.
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