FireAngel CO-9D - Carbon Monoxide Hazards and Health Effects; Symptoms of CO Poisoning

3
CARBON MONOXIDE
AND HOW IT CAN
AFFECT YOU AND
YOUR FAMILY
Carbonmonoxideisadangerous,poisonous
gas that kills hundreds of people each year
and injures many more. It is often referred
toasthesilentkillerbecauseithasnoodour
ortasteandcannotbeseen.Likeoxygen,CO
entersthebodythroughthelungsduringthe
normalbreathingprocess.Itcompeteswith
oxygenbyreplacingitintheredbloodcells,
therebyreducingtheowofoxygentothe
heart, brain and other vital organs. In high
concentrations,COcankillinminutes.
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide
poisoning indicate that while victims
are aware they are not feeling well, they
become disorientated and unable to save
themselvesbyeitherexitingthebuildingor
callingforassistance.Exposureduringsleep
isparticularlydangerousbecausethevictim
usuallydoesnotwakeup.
Symptoms of CO poisoning
The following symptoms may berelated to
COpoisoningwhichallhouseholdmembers
shouldbemadeawareof:
• Mild Exposure:Slightheadache,nausea,
vomiting,fatigue(oftendescribedas
‘u-like’symptoms).
• Medium Exposure:Severethrobbing
headache,drowsiness,confusion,fast
heartrate.
• Extreme Exposure: Unconsciousness,
convulsions,cardiorespiratoryfailure,
death.
Your FireAngel CO detector monitors the
levelofCOaspartspermillion(ppm)inthe
atmospheresurroundingthedetector.
35ppm Themaximumallowable
concentrationforcontinuous
exposureforhealthyadults
inany8hourperiod,as
recommendedbythe
OccupationalSafetyandHealth
Administration(OSHA).
200ppm Slightheadache,fatigue,
dizziness,nauseaafter2-3
hours.
400ppm Frontalheadacheswithin1-2
hours,lifethreateningafter3
hours.
800ppm Dizziness,nauseaand
convulsionswithin45minutes.
Unconsciousnesswithin2hours.
Deathwithin2-3hours.
ShouldyoususpectCOmaybea󱐯ectingyou
oryourfamily,openthedoorsandwindows
of your property to ventilate, turn o󱐯 your
appliances and evacuate the premises.
At this time the authorities should be
contactedtolocatethesourceofthecarbon
monoxide before re-entering the building
(for usefull contact numbers see page 17).
Medical attention should be sought for
anyonesu󱐯eringthee󱐯ectsofCOpoisoning
(headache,nausea,seepage3).