Carbon Monoxide
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas that has the molecular formula CO. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels - gas, oil, coal and wood used in boilers, engines, oil burners, natural gas and LP furnaces, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires.
How does carbon monoxide accumulate?
CO accumulates due to improper burning of the fuel. This can be a result of poor installation, poor maintenance, improper ventilation, or failure/damage to an appliance. Having no smell, taste or color it has become increasingly important to have good ventilation, maintain all appliances regularly and to have reliable detector alarms installed in the home. CO detectors are extremely vital for alerting you to increasing levels of CO before effects are felt.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide?
Exposure to carbon monoxide can produce many health concerns. Affects of CO exposure can range from minor headaches, nausea and dizziness to convulsions and potentially, with extended exposure, even death. Carbon monoxide poisons enter the lungs through the normal breathing mechanism and displace oxygen from the bloodstream. Interruption of the normal supply of oxygen puts the functions of the heart, brain, and other vital functions of the body at risk. Persons suffering from heart or respiratory health problems, infants and small children, unborn children, expectant mothers and pets are most easily affected by CO poisoning and may be the first to show symptoms.
Are there any safe levels of carbon monoxide?
Here are the guidelines that we use as we are evaluating a home for carbon monoxide.
Concentration of Carbon Monoxide or CO in Air
What are CO detector laws that apply to homeowners?
In 2011, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill that mandates that state residents put carbon monoxide detectors in their residences
Under the law, carbon monoxide detectors are required to be installed on all floors of single-family homes and two-unit residences. These detectors are already required in other kinds of housing.
Learn more about CO laws in Wisconsin.
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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas that has the molecular formula CO. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels - gas, oil, coal and wood used in boilers, engines, oil burners, natural gas and LP furnaces, water heaters, solid fuel appliances and open fires.
How does carbon monoxide accumulate?
CO accumulates due to improper burning of the fuel. This can be a result of poor installation, poor maintenance, improper ventilation, or failure/damage to an appliance. Having no smell, taste or color it has become increasingly important to have good ventilation, maintain all appliances regularly and to have reliable detector alarms installed in the home. CO detectors are extremely vital for alerting you to increasing levels of CO before effects are felt.
What are the effects of carbon monoxide?
Exposure to carbon monoxide can produce many health concerns. Affects of CO exposure can range from minor headaches, nausea and dizziness to convulsions and potentially, with extended exposure, even death. Carbon monoxide poisons enter the lungs through the normal breathing mechanism and displace oxygen from the bloodstream. Interruption of the normal supply of oxygen puts the functions of the heart, brain, and other vital functions of the body at risk. Persons suffering from heart or respiratory health problems, infants and small children, unborn children, expectant mothers and pets are most easily affected by CO poisoning and may be the first to show symptoms.
Are there any safe levels of carbon monoxide?
Here are the guidelines that we use as we are evaluating a home for carbon monoxide.
Concentration of Carbon Monoxide or CO in Air
- 1-3 ppm: Amounts of carbon monoxide typical in our daily indoor environment.
- 9 ppm: The maximum recommended concentration for short-term exposure in living areas.
- 10-15 ppm: Common concentration observed with cigarette smoking in close, indoor quarters.
- 50 ppm: The maximum allowable workplace exposure during any 8-hour period, according to federal law (OSHA).
- 100 ppm or greater: Potentially lethal level of carbon monoxide.
What are CO detector laws that apply to homeowners?
In 2011, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed a bill that mandates that state residents put carbon monoxide detectors in their residences
Under the law, carbon monoxide detectors are required to be installed on all floors of single-family homes and two-unit residences. These detectors are already required in other kinds of housing.
Learn more about CO laws in Wisconsin.
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