Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas often referred to as the silent killer. In the United States alone, CO is responsible for the deaths of approximately 5,000 people each year. Out of every five people, three die from CO emitted by automobiles, one suffers an accident from inhaling CO from wood stoves or charcoal heaters, and one in five dies from CO exposure with no clear cause.
In China and Vietnam, instances of CO poisoning due to the use of charcoal stoves for cooking and heating are not uncommon.
What is CO?
CO is an odorless, tasteless gas that is produced from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as charcoal, gasoline, propane, methane, or oil.
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Automobiles and motorcycles emit high levels of CO. |
When inhaled, CO enters the lungs and then the bloodstream, where it binds to hemoglobin, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
CO combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO), which has a binding affinity 200 times greater than oxygen. As hemoglobin becomes saturated with CO, the body is deprived of oxygen. Additionally, CO can bind to myoglobin (the pigment in muscle tissue), causing cellular damage and leading to metabolic acidosis.
Symptoms of CO Poisoning
In smokers, the level of CO in hemoglobin (HbCO) ranges from 3-8%, while in non-smokers, it is typically 0-3%. However, when HbCO levels rise to 10-20%, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and shortness of breath may occur. At levels of 30-40%, headaches become more severe, heart rates become irregular, and loss of consciousness can happen. If levels exceed 40%, breathing will become rapid, the lungs may cease to function, and the patient may experience seizures, loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, cardiac arrest, and death.
Research shows that even low levels of HbCO, as little as 0.05%, can be lethal if one is exposed to CO for over 30 minutes.
Initially, CO exposure may present nonspecific symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and patients often mistake these for a common cold, unaware they are suffering from CO poisoning.
First Aid for CO Poisoning
If CO poisoning is suspected, the first step is to administer oxygen to the patient immediately. Following this, the patient should be taken to an emergency medical facility. There, doctors will conduct blood tests (including AGB, CBG, Lytes, CPK, Lactate, and HbCO) and urine tests. Patients may be referred to specialized centers for treatment in hyperbaric oxygen environments.
Prevention Measures: A Top Priority
When starting a car or motorcycle in winter, it is crucial to move the vehicle outside immediately, even if the garage door is open. Leaving a vehicle running in a garage can lead to a dangerous buildup of CO that can seep into the home, posing a risk of suffocation to others. Homes must have adequate ventilation.
Cooking appliances such as heaters, gas stoves, kettles, wood-burning stoves, and portable gas stoves should be inspected annually. It is essential to check that exhaust pipes are not blocked, leaking, or cracked, and necessary repairs should be made promptly.
If using a wood-burning stove, ensure that air is adequately vented outside through a chimney. Using an exhaust fan to expel smoke and toxic air outside is highly recommended. Absolutely do not use charcoal stoves indoors for cooking or heating; they must be used in well-ventilated areas such as yards or rooftops…
