CO - The Silent Killer
Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute, Member Briefs
April 2006
By Marc Brewer, Safety Resources, Inc.
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Carbon Monoxide is often called the silent killer because
it gives no clear warning to its victims. It is an invisible gas with no taste
or smell and it will not cause any unusual feeling in the nose, mouth or throat
as it is breathed in. The first effects that can actually be noticed are
headache and faintness. A worker who does not know about carbon monoxide
poisoning may ignore these early symptoms or think a minor illness is coming on.
Too much CO in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this.
Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers
your health.
Many people using gasoline-powered tools such as
high-pressure washers, concrete cutting saws, power trowels, floor buffers,
welders, pumps, compressors, and generators in buildings or semi enclosed spaces
have been poisoned by carbon monoxide. CO can rapidly accumulate and build up to
dangerous or fatal concentrations within minutes. Workers in areas with closed
doors and windows can be incapacitated within minutes. Opening doors and windows
or operating fans does not guarantee safety. CO is a dangerous poison. It is not
widely known that small gasoline-powered engines and tools present a serious
health hazard. They produce high concentrations of CO. Because it is colorless,
odorless, and nonirritating, CO can overcome exposed persons without warning.
Many reported cases of CO poisoning indicate that while victims are aware they
are not well, they become so disoriented that they are unable to save themselves
by either exiting the building or calling for assistance. Prior use of equipment
without incident has sometimes given users a false sense of safety; such users
have been poisoned on subsequent occasions. It is important for anyone operating
equipment producing CO to learn and be able to recognize the symptoms and signs
of CO overexposure and remember that the signs and symptoms can occur within
minutes of usage.
Carbon monoxide is produced as a result of incomplete
burning of carbon-containing fuels including coal, wood, charcoal, natural gas,
and fuel oil. It can also be emitted by combustion sources such as gas space
heaters, vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoke. Problems can arise as a result of
improper installation, maintenance, or inadequate ventilation. All fuel-burning
equipment emits some carbon monoxide. This includes car, truck, and forklift
engines, construction equipment powered by propane or gasoline, and non-electric
heaters. A poorly tuned gas engine may give off up to 12 times as much CO as a
well tuned one. Carbon monoxide is produced as a result of incomplete burning of
carbon-containing fuels including coal, wood, charcoal, natural gas, and fuel
oil. It can also be emitted by combustion sources such as gas space heaters,
vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoke. Problems can arise as a result of improper
installation, maintenance, or inadequate ventilation. All fuel-burning equipment
emits some carbon monoxide. This includes car, truck, and forklift engines,
construction equipment powered by propane or gasoline, and non-electric heaters.
A poorly tuned gas engine may give off up to 12 times as much CO as a well tuned
one.
Since CO can be produced from a variety of sources it makes
it extremely dangerous not only on the job, but in our homes as well. Carbon
monoxide detectors in our homes can be used as a backup, but not as a
replacement, for proper use and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances. You
should not choose a CO detector solely on the basis of cost; do some research on
the different features available. Carbon monoxide detectors should have a
log-term warranty, and be easily self-tested and reset to ensure proper
functioning. For maximum effectiveness during sleeping hours, carbon monoxide
detectors should be placed close to sleeping areas. Oxygen and carbon monoxide
are approximately the same density and they mix equally well in air, Therefore
most alarms measuring carbon monoxide can be placed anywhere in a room.