Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Table of Contents
Page No.
Effects of Exposure to High Levels .................................................................................... 5
Effects of inhaling carbon dioxide Gas .............................................................................. 4
Effects of Low Levels of Exposure..................................................................................... 5
Effects of Moderate Exposure ........................................................................................... 6
Exposure ........................................................................................................................... 6
How to Treat Carbon Dioxide Poisoning ............................................................................ 7
Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4
Long-Term Effects of Carbon Dioxide Poisoning ............................................................... 5
Tips.................................................................................................................................... 7
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DISCLAIMER
Information provided in this written material should not be considered as all-encompassing, or suitable
for all situations, conditions or environments. Each company is responsible for implementing their
own safety/injury/illness prevention program and should consult with their legal, medical or other
advisors as to the suitability of using this information. Application of this information does not
guarantee you will be successful in your safety efforts, or that the information will meet acceptable
standards or requirements. At the time this information was provided, it was believed to be from
reliable sources and current with applicable safety standards, however, the producers of the program
assume no liability arising from the use of, or reliance on the information provided. Always seek the
advice of your legal, medical or other advisors as necessary before using this information in your
Company's safety efforts.
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CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING (CO)
Introduction
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless gas. CO is one of the most common chemical killers in
industry and home. All industries include carbon monoxide among their potential hazards. The most
common hazard of CO is poisoning. In 1970, the National Safety Council estimated that 1,600 people
died from CO poisoning; 10,000 each year suffer from exposure the debilitating effects of CO.
Carbon monoxide gas can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. Breathing in high levels of
carbon monoxide could cause loss of consciousness or death.
To prevent poisoning:

Never use a gas generator inside your home, garage, carport, basement, crawl space or near
a window, door or vent. Generators should be used at least 15 feet away from a building.

Do not use a gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other building.

Do not use a gas range or oven to heat your home.

Do not use a gas or charcoal grill indoors.

Do not burn charcoal in your fireplace.

Do not leave a vehicle running in a garage when the door is closed.

Do not use power equipment in the garage.
If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected:



Turn off possible sources of the gas.
Go outside and get fresh air.
If someone is unconscious, open doors and windows.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide could be similar to common colds or season flu:

Headache

Dizziness

Nausea

Vomiting

Shortness of breath

Confusion
By the time the symptoms become apparent to the victim, they are unable to recognize the danger
and escape.
Effects of Inhaling carbon dioxide Gas
Inhaling carbon dioxide in high enough concentrations can cause asphyxiation. In lower
concentrations, the effects may seem less severe or even unnoticeable, but because CO2 has other
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acute systemic effects on your heart and nervous system, longer exposures to seemingly harmless
levels can cause permanent damage. The normal levels of carbon dioxide present in the Earth's
atmosphere are about 350 parts per million.
Effects of Low Levels of Exposure
When carbon dioxide is present in the air at concentrations of near 600 parts per million, you will
notice that the air begins to feel stuffy, thick and slightly difficult to breathe. At this level, which is only
250 parts per million above your normal tolerance, serious symptoms and permanent damage are
unlikely to occur.
Effects of Moderate Exposure
As the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air approaches 1,000 parts per million, some classic
symptoms of CO2 poisoning begin to occur. These include difficulty breathing and shortness of
breath, as well as increased heart rate, headaches, hyperventilation, fatigue, sweating and possible
impairment of hearing. PesticideInfo.org recommends immediate removal to fresh air if these
symptoms manifest, and medical attention if the symptoms persist after you have ended your
exposure to the harmful levels of CO2. Prolonged exposure to CO2 levels between 1,000 and 5,000
parts per million is considered potentially dangerous to your health, and the high level of CO2 under
these conditions can be taken as an indicator that oxygen levels are also dangerously low, according
to the Angry Red Planet website on carbon dioxide.
Effects of Exposure to High Levels
When levels reach 15,000 to 30,000 parts per million, severe symptoms begin to manifest within an
hour or two of exposure. Angry Red Planet lists dizziness, nausea, shaking, visual hallucination,
nausea and vomiting as symptoms that the CO2 level has become dangerously high. At this level of
exposure, you may lose consciousness or die from asphyxiation. As with lower levels,
PesticideInfo.org recommends immediate removal from the CO2 source and medical attention.
Artificial respiration may also be necessary.
Long-Term Effects of Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
In addition to the danger of asphyxiation at high levels, carbon dioxide may also cause long-term
nerve damage or cardiovascular conditions such as hypercapnia. When the blood carries a surplus of
CO2, its acidity increases, and when your blood pH drops below 7.35 the potential for permanent cell
damage occurs. This condition, known as acidosis, may result from long-term exposure to low levels
of CO2, so it is important to be aware of the CO2 levels in your home, workplace or other areas in
which you spend significant time.
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Carbon dioxide poisoning is also known as hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis. Carbon dioxide
comprises only 385 parts per million in our atmosphere, but it can accumulate in the blood to toxic
levels. The following steps will help you identify and treat carbon dioxide poisoning.
Consider the causes of carbon dioxide poisoning. People at risk include sufferers of emphysema,
neuromuscular disorders and those taking narcotic, sleeping and tranquilizing medication.
Know the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning. These can include delirium, headaches, shortness
of breath and reduced alertness.
Get a clinical evaluation. The physician should check for a rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, shallow
breathing and elevated blood pressure. A fundoscopic exam may show papilledema. Check for
arterial blood gas showing elevated CO2 as a definitive test.
Treat the underlying cause if one exists. Administer continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and
provide mechanical ventilation if the patient's breathing is compromised. Medication may be given to
improve lung function. Any offending medication should be discontinued.
Monitor the patient's condition by continuing to check the acid and oxygen levels in the blood. X-rays
may be needed in some cases to observe the underlying cause of the carbon dioxide poisoning.
Increased exposure can cause dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness Increased exposure can
cause dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness. Increased exposure can cause dizziness, nausea and
unconsciousness.
Cell destruction may manifest itself in the form of permanent psychosis, paralysis, cardiac
disturbance, loss of mental powers or loss of vision.
Small amounts of CO can build up to a harmful level and not be recognized as a potential danger.
People must be able to recognize the operation and symptoms of CO poisoning and take appropriate
action. CO enters the body through the respiratory system. CO affects the central nervous system and
cardiovascular system.
Exposure
If the exposure is not too serious, there can be a complete recovery. As the exposure becomes
increasingly severe, the brain is incapable of monitoring the body’s function and results in death.
The brain is the first organ affected by CO exposure in the form of a headache. Increased exposure
can cause dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness. If the exposure is not too serious, there can be a
complete recovery. As the exposure becomes increasingly severe, the brain is incapable of
monitoring the body’s function and results in death. Cell destruction may manifest itself in the form of
permanent psychosis, paralysis, cardiac disturbance, loss of mental powers or loss of vision. Small
amounts of CO can build up to a harmful level and not be recognized as a potential danger.
People must be able to recognize the operation and symptoms of CO poisoning and take appropriate
action. CO enters the body through the respiratory system. CO affects the central nervous system and
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cardiovascular system. Complete recovery. As the exposure becomes increasingly severe, the brain
is incapable of monitoring the body’s function and results in death.
Increased exposure can cause dizziness, nausea and unconsciousness. As the exposure becomes
increasingly severe, the brain is incapable of monitoring the body’s function and results in death. Cell
destruction may manifest itself in the form of permanent psychosis, paralysis, cardiac disturbance,
loss of mental powers or loss of vision. Small amounts of CO can build up to a harmful level and not
be recognized as a potential danger.
People must be able to recognize the operation and symptoms of CO poisoning and take appropriate
action. CO enters the body through the respiratory system. CO affects the central nervous system and
cardiovascular system.
How to Treat Carbon Dioxide Poisoning
If you suspect that you or others are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately remove
all people and animals from the source of carbon monoxide as quickly and safely as you can. If you
are in a house or other building and suspect carbon monoxide, immediately get outside and breathe
fresh air.
Call 911 and request assistance. Cases of moderate to severe carbon monoxide poisoning can only
be treated by trained technicians and even mild cases should be examined by a doctor.
Check a poison victim to make sure he is breathing. If so, ensure that he is able to breathe fresh air
easily. If he/she is not breathing, administer CPR until help arrives.
To administer CPR, lay the victim flat on the ground on his back, then pinch the victim's nose firmly
and cover his mouth with yours. Blow until you see the victim's chest expand, about one second. Give
two breaths then check to see if the victim is breathing. If he is still not breathing, press down firmly on
the chest (right in between the nipples) 30 times at a rate of 100 pumps per minute. Begin again with
the two breaths, continuing the cycle until help arrives.
When the paramedics arrive, they will most likely administer 100% oxygen to those affected by carbon
monoxide inhalation. Using a tight-fitting oxygen mask, patients will breathe in oxygen in order to
hasten the carbon monoxide's release from the body.
In most moderate to severe cases of poisoning, the affected person will be transported to a hospital
for further treatment. Even if a person seems to be recovering quickly from the effects of inhalation,
she may still need medical attention.
Tips

Carbon monoxide detectors (which can be purchased for as low as $20) can help protect your
family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Purchase a detector and place it near the heater or
fireplace, even if your home is brand new and has had no history of carbon monoxide leakage.

First aid and CPR training is helpful in all emergency circumstances. Consider receiving this
training through your local Red Cross, YMCA or community center.
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
Never try to treat carbon monoxide poisoning on your own. Many of these steps are simply to
be used to help a patient until a medical professional can treat her properly.
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