Carbon Monoxide: Properties and Sources

What is Carbon Monoxide?

• A colorless, odorless, tasteless, and highly toxic gas
• Chemical formula: CO
• Molecular weight: 28.01 g/mol

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, natural gas, oil, wood, and charcoal)
• Automobile exhaust
• Generators and power washers
• Fireplaces, furnaces, and water heaters
• Cigarette smoke
• Industrial processes

Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues
• Can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue
• High levels can lead to:
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Respiratory failure
  • Death

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Mild exposure:
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue
• Moderate exposure:
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
  • Shortness of breath
• Severe exposure:
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Death

Treatment and Prevention

• Remove victim from source of exposure
• Administer oxygen therapy
• Supportive care for symptoms
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in homes and buildings
• Ensure proper ventilation and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances
• Avoid using generators and power washers indoors

Carbon Monoxide Characteristics

• Colorless, odorless, tasteless, and highly toxic gas
• Chemical formula: CO
• Molecular weight: 28.01 g/mol

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

• Incomplete combustion of fossil fuels (gasoline, natural gas, oil, wood, charcoal)
• Automobile exhaust
• Generators and power washers
• Fireplaces, furnaces, and water heaters
• Cigarette smoke
• Industrial processes

Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues
• Can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue
• High levels can lead to confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, respiratory failure, and death

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Mild exposure: headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue
• Moderate exposure: confusion, disorientation, shortness of breath
• Severe exposure: loss of consciousness, seizures, coma, death

Treatment and Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Remove victim from source of exposure
• Administer oxygen therapy
• Provide supportive care for symptoms
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in homes and buildings
• Ensure proper ventilation and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances
• Avoid using generators and power washers indoors

Learn about the properties and sources of carbon monoxide, a highly toxic gas. Understand its effects on human health and common sources of exposure.