Carbon Monoxide Is Carbon Monoxide harmful to us and the environment? By: Jessica Kelso What is Carbon Monoxide? ● A gas that is created when a fuel with carbon is not completely burned ● An odorless, poisonous, colorless, deadly gas ● Also known as: CO, coal gas, flue, carbonic oxide, exhaust gas, a greenhouse gas, and “the silent killer” Sources of Carbon Monoxide Natural sources ○ volcanoes and forest fires ○ burning of natural gases Man made sources ○ burning of petrol, diesel, gasoline, and fuels that contain carbon ○ vehicle emissions Is Carbon Monoxide harmful to people? ● Yes, CO can be harmful to people ● 200 people die every year in the US from the CO produced from consumer products like furnaces, ranges, water heaters, generators, and fireplaces ● Low CO poisoning symptoms are: headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath ● High level symptoms are: chest pain, mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, and loss of conscious ● High level symptoms may lead to death ● These deaths are preventable. CO poisoning is preventable ● Make sure appliances are installed and operating correctly ● Install a CO alarm in a hallway near the bedroom and make sure that it is not covered by furniture or drapes ● Never leave a car running in a garage ● Never operate a fuel powered tool in an enclosed space Is CO harmful to the environment? ● Yes, although the EPA has reduced on-road emissions considerably since the 1970’s ● The EPA, state and local governments work to reduce vehicle emissions of CO ● Efforts to decrease emissions are outpacing increases in vehicle travel ● Emission controls are designed to keep the CO to a minimum Does Carbon Monoxide have an effect on climate change? ● Yes, but Carbon Monoxide does not directly affect climate change ● Carbon Monoxide is not known as a direct contributor to climate change but it does, however, play a role in this area. ● When CO reacts to Hydroxyl Radical (OH) it forms Carbon Dioxide (CO2) that does have an effect on climate change ● CO and CO2 have the same atoms but CO2 affects climate change, CO does not Is Carbon Monoxide harmful to us and the environment? Yes ● Could be deadly if people do not use an appliance properly or when a product malfunctions. ● If CO reacts to OH and forms CO2, then it indirectly impacts climate change. No ● CO deaths are preventable if people use appliances correctly and install CO monitors. ● The EPA has reduced car emissions to safe levels. ● CO does not affect climate change directly. Carbon Monoxide is harmful to us and the environment. We should try our best to use products correctly and reduce the amount of CO in the world. Bibliography ● ● ● ● ● ● ● “Carbon Monoxide:Its environmental Impact” esseacourses.stratagies.org/module.php?module_id=170 “Carbon Monoxide” apps.sepa.org.uk/spripa/Pages/SubstanceInformation.aspx?pid=4 “Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers” www.cpsc.gov/en/SafetyEducation/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon Monoxide-Information-Center/Carbon Monoxide-Questions-and-Answers-/ “What is Carbon Monoxide?” www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm “Fact Sheet:What You Need to Know” Https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/indoors/air/carbon_monoxide_need_to_know. htm “Carbon Monoxide (CO)” http://www3.epa.gov/airtrends/aqtrnd95/co.html “Carbon Monoxide: What is it? Where does it come from?” http://www.extraordinaryroadtrip.org/research-library/air-pollution/understanding-airpollution/carbon-monoxide/health.asp
