A Guide to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning |
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Guide to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (CO Poisoning)
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Carbon Monoxide SourcesCarbon monoxide sources are plentiful. The air we breathe is one such source. A small, non-harmful amount of carbon monoxide is present in the atmosphere produced by such things as volcanic activity, forest fires and man-made fires, and the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide (CO) is measured in concentrations of parts per million (ppm). The natural level in the atmosphere is 0.1 ppm, and the average level in a household ranges from 0.5 to 5ppm.
Carbon Monoxide in the Home The most common carbon monoxide sources in the typical household are the following:
Carbon Monoxide in the Workplace
In the majority of cases, proper ventilation of buildings, or areas containing a by-product of combustion, is required. Should ventilation be interrupted or halted for a certain period of time, the levels of carbon monoxide can increase and cause potential hazards.
Many industrial processes produce certain amounts of carbon monoxide,
as does everyday cigarette smoke. Many industrial processes produce certain amounts of carbon monoxide, as does everyday cigarette smoke. Carbon Monoxide Facts Although control measures for carbon monoxide emission from motor vehicles are in effect, the number of cars and trucks on the road has increased over the years, causing on-going environmental concerns. Approximately three-quarters of emissions in the United States come from motor vehicles such as cars and trucks (around 56%) as well as non-road vehicles such as boats and construction equipment (around 22%). Carbon monoxide is toxic to both humans and animals. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is lighter than air. Due to these characteristics it is difficult to detect its presence. Hence, it is recommended that, along with smoke detectors, homeowners invest in carbon monoxide detectors.
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