Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer
What is CO
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, these include Natural gas, LPG, oil, wood and coal, incomplete combustion is when the fuel does not burn properly. Although carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless there are signs indicating that incomplete combustion is occurring, these include, yellow or orange* rather than blue well defined flames, soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances, pilot lights that frequently go out, increased condensation on windows.*Apart from fuel effect fires which display this colour flame.
Symptoms
Carbon monoxide (CO) can kill quickly without warning, when CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs less than 2% of CO in the air can kill in two minutes. Low level exposure of CO over a long period can cause brain and neurological damage. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can resemble those of food poisoning and the flu, however, unlike flu, CO poisoning does not cause a high temperature.
The most common symptoms of mild CO poisoning are: Headache, feeling sick (nausea) and dizziness, you may also feel tired and confused, and some people are sick (vomit) and have abdominal pain. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO.
If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved, switch off the appliance and do not re-use until remedial action has been taken, open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it.
You must seek urgent, medical advice from either your GP or an accident and emergency department. You should explain that you believe the presence of CO and ask for a blood or breath test to confirm. However, be aware that CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.
Preventative measures
Ensure that any work carried out in relation to gas appliances in domestic or commercial premises is to undertaken by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, competent in that area of work.
Ensure that gas appliances and flues are installed, and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
If you live in tenanted accommodation, your landlord has a legal duty to carry out an annual gas safety check and maintain gas appliances. They must provide you with a copy of the completed gas safety check certificate. Landlords & Letting Agents click here.
Always make sure there is enough fresh air in the room containing your gas appliance. If you have a chimney or a flue, ensure it is not blocked up and also ensure that vents are not covered.
HSE strongly recommends the use of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as a useful back-up precaution but they must not be regarded as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Before purchasing a CO alarm, always ensure it complies with British Standard EN 50291 and carries a British or European approval mark, such as a Kite mark. CO alarms should be installed, checked and serviced in line with the manufacturer's instructions.
You can be particularly at risk from CO poisoning when you are asleep, because you may not be aware of early CO symptoms until it is too late. Having an audible CO alarm could wake you and save your life.