How quickly the carboxyhemoglobin builds up is a factor of the concentration of the gas being inhaled measured in parts per million or PPM and the duration of the exposure. Compounding the effects of the exposure is the long half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood.
Half-life is a measure of how quickly levels return to normal. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin is approximately 5 hours. This means that for a given exposure level, it will take about 5 hours for the level of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood to drop to half its current level after the exposure is terminated. Since one can't easily measure CO levels outside of a medical environment, CO toxicity levels are usually expressed in airborne concentration levels PPM and duration of exposure.
Expressed in this way, symptoms of exposure can be stated as follows:. As can be seen from the above information, the symptoms vary widely based on exposure level, duration and the general health and age on an individual.
Also note the 1 recurrent theme that is most significant in the recognition of CO poisoning - headache, dizziness and nausea. These 'flu like' symptoms are often mistaken for a real case of the flu and can result in delayed or misdiagnosed treatment. When experienced in conjunction with a the sounding of a CO these symptoms are the best indicator that a potentially serious buildup of CO exists.
This comment will be returned to later. There are a number of different types and brands of CO detectors on the market today. They can be most easily characterized by whether they operate on household current or batteries. Underlying this, in most cases, is the type of sensor employed in the detectors operation.
Detectors using household current typically employ some type of solid-state sensor which purges itself and resamples for CO on a periodic basis. This cycling of the sensor is the source of its increased power demands. Detectors powered by batteries typically use a passive sensor technology which reacts to the prolonged exposure to CO gas. Regardless of the type of sensor used all detectors sold on the market today should conform to minimum sensitivity and alarm characteristics.
These characteristics have been defined and are verified by Underwriters Laboratory in their standard for CO detectors UL This standard was most recently revised in June of and went into effect in October of This revision specified additional requirements regarding identification of detector type, low-level nuisance alarm sensitivity and alarm silencing. Ensure all heating appliances are put into your home correctly by a registered professional 2.
Have them serviced by a professional every year 3. Have your chimneys swept regularly 4. How do I know if I need a carbon monoxide detector? How many carbon monoxide detectors do I need? What are the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
How much does a carbon monoxide detector cost and where can I get one? Gas stoves produce carbon monoxide and can fill your home with the dangerous gas. If you want to warm up your vehicle in the winter, pull out of the garage first. Carbon monoxide is a common byproduct of vehicle exhaust and builds up quickly in a closed or even open garage. Always have proper ventilation. Practice cooking safety while camping. You should enjoy the wilderness safely.
Install a carbon monoxide detector. The best carbon monoxide detectors are affordable, easy to install, and can save your life. We recommend installing one on every level of your home, near each bedroom, and near your garage.
How do you detect carbon monoxide? Our recommendation. Kidde Nighthawk. View on Amazon. How do carbon monoxide detectors work? Different sensors set off different types of alerts: Biomimetic sensor: a gel changes color when it absorbs carbon monoxide, and this color change triggers the alarm. Electrochemical sensor: electrodes in a chemical solution sense changes in electrical currents when they come into contact with carbon monoxide, and this change triggers the alarm.
When will my carbon monoxide detector go off? How much CO does it take to make me feel sick? What do I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off? Gather everyone in your house and move outside for fresh air. On the way outside, open as many doors and windows as possible to help air out your home. Know the difference between an actual alarm and the detector's "end of life" alarm, which has a different sound. If you notice any symptoms, call immediately. If possible, do not reenter your home until the alarm stops sounding or emergency responders deem your home safe.
Contact a professional to evaluate every fossil fuel-burning appliance particularly furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and stoves and any other possible source of carbon monoxide to prevent a future incident. What kind of carbon monoxide detector should I get? Sensor maintenance. No matter what type of carbon monoxide detection you have, you should conduct regular maintenance: Test it frequently using the button on the front once a month.
If you have a wired sensor with a battery back-up, make sure both power sources are working. Replace the sensor every few years according to manufacturer guidelines. Many models intentionally sound an alarm when they expire; read the manual so you know what to expect. Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector? How many carbon monoxide detectors do I need? Nest Protect. Here are some guidelines for installing your carbon monoxide alarm: If the home only has one carbon monoxide alarm, it should be installed in the main bedroom or in the hallway outside of the sleeping area.
Avoid installing the alarm near a window or dead space. Make sure nothing is covering the carbon monoxide unit. Install an alarm on every floor of the home.
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