Sunday, October 31, 2010

Exposure Of CO Colorless Odorless Toxic Fumes In Your Residence Complaints

By Steven Carter

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous kind of gas that you can not see, smell or taste. It is a result of incomplete oxidation in the combustion process. Prolonged inhalation of high concentrated carbon monoxide can be fatal as it clings to the blood and prevents it from bringing oxygen to the vital organs of the body. Your body needs a steady supply of oxygen to remain alive and lack of oxygen causes our organs to stop functioning.

All household devices that burn fuel can become a source of this toxic gas. Most homes have inadequate ventilation due to our continuous quest for energy efficiency. Carbon monoxide leaks in such homes can result in accumulation of the deadly gas and the result can be fatal. Automobiles, gas stoves and driers, gas fueled furnaces, fireplaces and wood stoves are just some of the household devices that can produce this deadly fume.

Vented appliances are provided with a pipe or a duct to send pollutants outside your home. But when the vent is improperly installed, blocked and leaking, the device can inadvertently release pollutant that may include carbon dioxide inside your home.

There are several warning signs of carbon monoxide leaks in your home. People exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning will experience flue like warning signs like headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and confusion. These symptoms may become less noticeable when the victims are outside and then come again when they return home. More than one household member will have these warning signs that might become more noticeable in the elderly and young family members.

There can also some physical signs of carbon monoxide presence in your home. Small water droplets could cling on the walls and indoor air may feel musty and stifling. Strong smell of gas might be experienced when the stove or other heating devices that burn fuel are turned on. The pilot flame will also be burning at a lower temperature, evidenced by its yellow orange color and not blue when burning properly.

White dusty powder that looks like soot will also cling around the exhaust ventilation or chimney and the pilot light on the furnace and water heater will sometimes flame out for unknown reason.

Majority of victims of carbon monoxide poisoning die in their sleep when they breathe the deadly fumes at night. Leaking appliances are the major cause of carbon monoxide deaths and most of the victims are not even aware that they have faulty appliances. That is the reason why you should consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm to detect carbon monoxide indoors.

Installing a gas detector can provide added protection against carbon monoxide leaks. There are various models of this device on the market including those that combine a smoke detector in the gas detecting device. Pick one that has the capability to detect most of the various gas hazards possible. Your gas detector should have a reasonable battery life and must provide a noticeable warning sign when you need to change the power source. - 42572

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment