Carbon monoxide: the silent killer

03 Jul 2024
Carbon monoxide: the silent killer

Carbon monoxide is a highly dangerous chemical compound because it is completely colourless, odourless and tasteless. It is also extremely toxic and is responsible for more deaths from poisoning than any other gas (its binding to haemoglobin in the blood is about 250 times more stable than that of oxygen).

Extremely flammable and lighter than air, it can cause explosions if it gets hot. Lower temperatures increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Prolonged exposure to low levels may not cause immediate effects, but it can lead to long-term health problems. CO poisoning is often wrongly diagnosed as the flu because of similar symptoms (such as headache, dizziness, nausea and disorientation).

About 80% of CO poisoning cases seen in Emergency Care Units take place at home. Indoor CO is mainly produced by tobacco smoke and combustion sources that are not properly ventilated (such as radiators, boilers, water heaters, wood- or gas-fired stoves and fireplaces).

To avoid prolonged exposure, a detector specifically designed to monitor indoor CO levels is definitely essential. A CO sensor that is highly sensitive to specific concentrations can trigger an alarm, thus, saving lives.

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