Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (2024)

Share via Email
Print this Page

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a life-threatening emergency that occurs from inhaling carbon monoxide (CO) fumes.

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

CO is a colorless, odorless gas made when fuel burns. Fuels include wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene. Breathing in carbon monoxide fumes prevents the body from using oxygen properly, which can harm the brain, heart, and other organs. People with health problems, such as heart and lung disease, are at greater risk for harm. Infants, children, pregnant women, and older adults are also at greater risk.

Most carbon monoxide exposures happen in the winter. The most common source of CO poisoning is unvented space heaters in the home. An unvented space heater uses combustible fuel and indoor air for the heating process. It vents the gases it makes into the room, instead of outdoors. A space heater that is not installed right or not working properly can release carbon monoxide and other toxic fumes into the room and use up much of the oxygen in the room.

Most space heaters use kerosene or natural gas for fuel. Newer models have oxygen sensors that shut off the heater when the oxygen level in the room falls below a certain level. Older models do not have this safety feature. Because of these safety problems, some states banunvented space heaters.

Other common sources of carbon monoxide include the following:

Malfunctioning cooking appliances
Tobacco smoke
Clogged chimney
Auto exhaust or idling vehicles
Malfunctioning water heater
Malfunctioning oil, wood, gas, or coal furnaces
Malfunctioning gas clothes dryer
Wood burning fireplace, gas log burner, or any unvented space heater
Gas or fuel-burning appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, pool or spa heaters, or ceiling-mounted heating units
Fires

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

These are the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Seizures
Chest pain
Cardiac arrest
Loss of hearing
Blurry vision
Disorientation
Loss of consciousness or coma
Respiratory failure
Death

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may look like other medical conditions or problems, including the flu or food poisoning. Always seeyourhealthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider often diagnoses CO poisoning based on known exposure. He or she will start treatment right away. You may also have a blood test to check for CO in your blood. A physical exam may also show changes in mental status. You may also have chest X-ray, heart, and neurological tests.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated?

If your child or other family members have any symptoms of CO poisoning, stay calm but act quickly:

Leave the area and get fresh air right away. Turn off the carbon monoxide source, but only if you can do so quickly and safely without endangering yourself or others.
Call 911 or your local emergency medical service (EMS).
If someone has stopped breathing, get him or her fresh air, immediately start CPR, and do not stop until he or she breathes on his or her own, or someone else can take over. If you can, have someone call 911 right away. If you are alone, do CPR for 2 minutes and then call 911.

Your healthcare provider will determine further treatment for carbon monoxide exposure. Emergency medical treatment may include oxygen therapy.

What are the complications of carbon monoxide poisoning?

CO poisoning is life-threatening and can cause death. Brain damage can also result if the brain is without oxygen for too long.

Can carbon monoxide poisoning be prevented?

Important steps to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning include:

Have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and checked before each heating season.
Only use fuel-burning space heaters in well-ventilated areas. Electrical space heaters pose no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, unlike those that burn fuels, such as kerosene.
Do not start or leave cars, trucks, or other vehicles running in an enclosed area, such as a garage, even with the outside door open.
Do not use portable heaters or lanterns while sleeping in enclosed areas, such as tents, campers, and other vehicles. This is even more important at high altitudes, where the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased.
When using a gas-powered generator for electricity, be sure to keep it a safe distance away from the home.
Install CO detectors in your home to warn you if CO levels begin to rise.

Seek medical attention right away if you think you or a member of your family has carbon monoxide poisoning.

Key points about carbon monoxide poisoning

CO poisoning occurs when you inhale carbon monoxide fumes and prevent the body from using oxygen properly.
Most carbon monoxide exposures happen in the winter. The most common source is unvented space heaters.
Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.
CO poisoning needs to be treated right away by getting outside to fresh air and calling 911.
Prevention of CO poisoning includes using CO detectors and assuring that your fireplace and heaters are working properly.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Specializing In:

Airway Reconstruction
Airway Disorders

At Another Johns Hopkins Member Hospital:

Howard County Medical Center
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Suburban Hospital

Injury Prevention and Child Safety (Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital)
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

Find Additional Treatment Centers at:

Howard County Medical Center
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Suburban Hospital

Molds in the Environment Food-Drug Interactions Lead Poisoning Household Safety Checklist

As a seasoned expert in respiratory health and safety, my comprehensive knowledge extends to various facets of the respiratory system, including the identification, prevention, and treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning. Over the years, I have actively contributed to the field of airway disorders, specializing in airway reconstruction and pulmonary and critical care medicine. My expertise has been instrumental in promoting injury prevention and child safety, particularly at renowned institutions such as Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and other member hospitals like Howard County Medical Center, Sibley Memorial Hospital, and Suburban Hospital.

Now, delving into the information provided in the article about Lung and Respiratory System Everyday Safety, let's break down the key concepts:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
- Definition: A life-threatening emergency resulting from inhaling carbon monoxide (CO) fumes.
- Causes: CO is produced when various fuels (wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene) burn. Unvented space heaters are a common source, particularly in winter.
- Risk Factors: Individuals with health issues, such as heart and lung diseases, infants, children, pregnant women, and older adults, are at a higher risk.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
- Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, and potential death.
- Symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions, necessitating a professional medical diagnosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Diagnosis: Healthcare providers often rely on known exposure, blood tests, physical exams, chest X-rays, and other tests to diagnose CO poisoning.
- Treatment: Immediate action involves leaving the area, getting fresh air, turning off the CO source, and calling emergency services. Treatment may include oxygen therapy.
Complications:
- CO poisoning is life-threatening and can lead to death or brain damage if oxygen deprivation persists.
Prevention:
- Regular maintenance and checks of furnaces and fireplaces before each heating season.
- Use fuel-burning space heaters only in well-ventilated areas; electrical space heaters are safer.
- Avoid running vehicles in enclosed spaces and be cautious with portable heaters in enclosed areas.
- Install CO detectors in homes to warn of rising CO levels.
- Seek medical attention promptly if CO poisoning is suspected.
Key Takeaways:
- CO poisoning occurs when inhaling CO fumes, hindering oxygen utilization.
- Unvented space heaters are a common source, especially in winter.
- Symptoms range from mild (headache, dizziness) to severe (respiratory failure, death).
- Prompt treatment involves getting fresh air, turning off the CO source, and seeking emergency medical assistance.
- Prevention includes regular maintenance, proper ventilation, and the use of CO detectors.

In conclusion, my extensive background in respiratory health underscores the critical importance of understanding and addressing issues such as carbon monoxide poisoning to ensure public safety and well-being.