What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a life-threatening condition that occurs after breathing in fumes containing carbon monoxide. High levels of CO entering your body can be fatal after only a few minutes. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. If you or someone you know suspects they have been exposed to CO, get into fresh air and contact emergency services immediately.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when gasoline and other fuels burn. A person would be unable to detect that it was in the air. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly and is extremely dangerous at high levels. Higher levels of CO can be fatal in under 5 minutes. Lower levels of CO may take up to 1-2 hours to cause poisoning. Many household items produce CO, so it is important to make sure everything is properly vented and working appropriately. It is also recommended to have a CO detector in any house, building, or space that has items that can produce CO.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms of CO poisoning. Depending on the exposure level or duration of exposure level, symptoms may vary. CO entering the body at high levels can be fatal within 5 minutes. Lower levels may take 1-2 hours to become fatal. Common symptoms include:

• Headache
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Confusion

People who are exposed to lower levels of CO over time may describe flu-like symptoms without a fever. Higher levels of exposure can lead to passing out and can be fatal within minutes. In some cases, symptoms related to the nervous system and brain can develop after recovery from CO poisoning. Symptoms may include:

• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Movement problems

Causes

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. CO poisoning is caused by inhaling CO fumes. Once the CO gets into your lungs, it prevents oxygen from reaching your bloodstream. Many household items burn or release carbon monoxide. However, if the items are maintained properly, the level of CO being released is not usually harmful. It is also important that items that release CO are used and stored in places with good airflow or ventilation. Examples of fuel-burning products and engines that can release CO include:

• Cars and truck engines
• Small gasoline engines
• Fuel-burning space heaters
• Gas stoves or ranges
• Grills
• Lanterns
• Heating systems, including home furnaces
• Running your car inside a closed garage
• Using a charcoal grill indoors
• Burning charcoal, kerosene, propane, or wood
• A vehicle with a blocked exhaust system (something blocking the tailpipe, such as snow or mud)
• Using a kerosene heater indoors

Risk Factors of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

All people are at a similar risk for carbon monoxide poisoning when it is released at a high level. There seems to be an increased risk of CO poisoning in the winter months due to an increase in heating system usage. Low-dose exposure to CO can also cause problematic symptoms. Those at higher risk of low-dose exposure symptoms include:

• Developing fetuses
• Infants
• Adults over 65
• Living in higher altitudes
• Those with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory issues
• People who smoke

Treatment

The main form of treatment for CO poisoning is breathing in pure oxygen. Typically, you will be given an oxygen mask to breathe through, which will help to neutralize the CO that has built up in your body. Additionally, if you suspect that you have CO exposure or poisoning, contact emergency services immediately. If you cannot get outside, open a window or door to the outside and sit as close as possible to it to breathe in the fresh air.

How Long Does It Take to Get Carbon Monoxide out of Your System?

How long it takes carbon monoxide to get out of your system depends on how much exposure a person has had. Typically, symptoms reduce or go away completely shortly after moving into a space with fresh air or breathing in pure oxygen through a mask. It may take up to 24 hours for the carbon monoxide to leave your body and symptoms may continue during this time. In some cases, people may experience symptoms for up to two weeks after exposure.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

There are several effective ways you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Hiring a professional to do a yearly inspection of any fuel-burning appliance in your home can mitigate the risk of CO poisoning. It is also important to choose and use your appliances wisely, making sure you are taking the proper precautions to ensure safety in usage. Additionally, make sure that fuel-burning appliances are properly ventilated and that you are only using outdoor fuel-burning appliances outside and not indoors. Finally, one of the most effective ways to decrease the risk of CO poisoning is to install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, building, or any space that there would be a potential for CO exposure.

Find a Location Near You

If you or someone you know has been exposed to carbon monoxide, please contact emergency services immediately and get outside into fresh air. If it is not possible to get outside, open a door or window to the outside and get as close as possible to breathe in the fresh air.

Find a location near you.