Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the Silent Killer because it is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that can be dangerous or even deadly. In Ontario, approximately 65% of carbon monoxide-related deaths and injuries occur in the home.
The good news is that carbon monoxide exposure is preventable. Knowing the risks, recognizing the warning signs and taking simple steps to protect your home can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
Learn how to recognize the dangers of carbon monoxide and what you can do to prevent exposure in your home.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that is a common by-product of incomplete combustion. Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels like natural gas, propane, oil, gasoline, kerosene, wood, charcoal or coal burn.
Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?
Once inhaled, CO attaches to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin normally carries oxygen throughout the body. When CO attaches to the hemoglobin, it blocks the oxygen the body must have, creating immediate health risks. Depending on the degree and length of exposure, serious carbon monoxide poisoning can cause:
| Permanent Brain Damage | Damage to the heart, possibly leading to life-threatening cardiac complications | Fetal death or miscarriage | Death |
Exposure to carbon monoxide may be particularly dangerous for:
• Unborn babies. Fetal blood cells take up carbon monoxide more readily than adult blood cells do.
This makes unborn babies more susceptible to harm from carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Children. Young children take breaths more frequently than adults do, which may make them
more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Older adults. Older people who experience carbon monoxide poisoning may be more likely to
develop brain damage.
• People who have chronic heart disease. People with a history of anemia and breathing problems
also are more likely to get sick from exposure to carbon monoxide.
What are the signs and effects of carbon monoxide exposure?
| Mild Exposure Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, flu-like symptoms without a fever. |
Medium Exposure Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate. |
Extreme Exposure Convulsions, unconsciousness, brain damage, heart and lung failure followed by death. |
What are some sources of carbon monoxide?
Common sources of carbon monoxide production are gas, oil or propane appliances like these and
others that are not working properly:
| Furances | Fireplaces | Clothes Dryers | Ovens | Water Heaters | Space/Patio Heaters | Portable Has Heater |
When appliances are installed and maintained properly, any CO that is produced is vented outside
and does not enter the home. Appliances designed for outdoor use like portable generators and patio
heaters also produce CO and should therefore only be used outside.
Additional safety tips include:
- Ensure that all vents are clear of debris including snow during the winter months
- Do not use outdoor fuel-burning appliances (e.g. patio heaters, BBQs, portable generators) in your home or other enclosed spaces
- Do not leave cars, lawn mowers, ATV or other vehicles running in attached garages
- Have any new or replacement fuel-burning appliances installed through the services of a TSSA-registered fuels contractor
- Have any repairs to fuel-burning appliances conducted through the services of a TSSAregistered fuels contractor
- Do not operate gasoline powered engines in confined spaces such as garages, workshops, boathouses or basements
For more information:
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