Browsing: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is highly toxic to humans and animals when inhaled. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, coal, and wood. Common sources include vehicle exhaust, gas stoves, heating systems, and charcoal grills. Carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which greatly reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to oxygen deprivation in bodily tissues, which can be fatal. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Proper ventilation and the use of carbon monoxide detectors in homes and workplaces are crucial preventive measures to avoid poisoning.