How can carbon monoxide harm you

Carbon monoxide poisoning. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Philadelphia, Pa. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Rochester, Minn. Clardy PF, et al.

Toups GN expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 6, Toxic substances portal — Methylene chloride. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Accessed March 17, Palmer J, et al. Carbon monoxide poisoning and pregnancy: Critical nursing interventions.

Journal of Emergency Nursing. What you should know about using paint strippers. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Exceeding the EPA concentration of 9 ppm for more than 8 hours is suspected to produce adverse health affects in persons at risk. The U. Occupational Health and Safety limit for healthy workers is 50 ppm. Carbon monoxide detectors, which are designed to protect against high concentration of carbon monoxide are required to sound an alarm when concentrations are greater than ppm.

Continued exposure to carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain, nerve, or heart damage. Some people require years to recover while others might never fully recover. What factors determine the danger level? For instance, a concentration of ppm will cause headaches in 1 to 2 hours. In 3 to 5 hours the same concentration can lead to unconsciousness and death.

Physical exertion, with an accompanying increase in respiration rate, shortens the time to critical levels by 2 or 3 fold. Since 50 ppm is the Occupation Health and Safety limit, is it safe for all people?

Respiratory capacity decreases and the risk of heart attack increases at levels well below 50 ppm. The EPA level of 9 ppm appears to be a reasonable limit in homes. When should CO poisoning be suspected? Some clues for a family include:. What should be done for someone who suffers from CO poisoning? They should immediately be moved into fresh air and medical authorities consulted.

Treatment depends on the amount of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream and assessment of the patient. Often oxygen is administered. In severe cases, patients are treated in a hyperbaric chamber. This is a pressurized oxygen chamber. The combination of oxygen and elevated pressure quickly and thoroughly forces carbon monoxide from the body. Following are the locations of hyperbaric chambers in Iowa. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in fresh air is approximately 4 hours. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. British Columbia Specific Information Carbon monoxide CO is known as the silent killer because it cannot be seen or smelled.

Top of the page. Topic Overview What is carbon monoxide poisoning? What causes carbon monoxide poisoning? Trouble comes when: Cars, trucks, or other engines are left running in enclosed spaces, such as garages. Carbon monoxide can build up in a garage and leak back into the house. Even sitting in an idling car in an open garage can be dangerous. A motorboat or jet ski that is idling or working at a slow speed can be dangerous to a swimmer or someone being pulled. Fuel-burning appliances are not installed or used properly.

Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up inside houses and other buildings. Fuel-burning heating systems and appliances are used during cold weather, when doors and windows are closed.

Chimneys in older buildings become blocked and release fumes into the homes or offices. Newer houses that are well insulated and tightly sealed can trap carbon monoxide inside. What are the symptoms? Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Headache. As carbon monoxide builds up in your blood , symptoms get worse and may include: Confusion and drowsiness.

Fast breathing, fast heartbeat, or chest pain.. Vision problems. See a doctor if: You often are short of breath and have mild nausea and headaches when you are indoors. You feel better when you leave the building and worse when you return. Other people you work or live with have the same symptoms you do. How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed?

How is it treated? For this treatment, you breathe oxygen through a mask. This is the most common treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. For this treatment, you lie inside a chamber that delivers oxygen under high pressure.