LATEST PRESS RELEASE

 Air Conditioning Contractors of America-National Capital Chapter®

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
(released January 22, 2009)

As reported today in the press, four (4) people from a northeast Washington home were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Below is a Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet that will help the public be more aware of what can be a deadly issue.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America — National Capital Chapter is a non-profit trade association. They are of service to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia areas.

Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet

Many gas appliances have open burners, and older models have pilot lights that burn continuously. It’s important to keep the area around any natural gas appliance clear of flammable substances or objects, particularly gasoline, paints, adhesives, cleaning solvents and oily rags.

Remember that any natural gas appliances located in a residential garage must be installed according to code, so that all burners and burner ignition devices are at least 18 inches above the floor. Don’t use or store flammable products or substances, including those listed above, in the same room or area where your water heater is located.

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

  • A colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating toxic gas.
  • A combustion by-product formed by incomplete combustion of carbon based fuels such as oil, propane, natural gas and wood.
  • Doesn’t stratify, can be located high as well as low in a room (Slightly lighter than air).
  • Often referred to as the "Silent Killer."
    •

    How is CO Produced?

  • Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.
  • It occurs when there is not enough oxygen mixed with fuel. This is commonly referred to as a "fuel rich mixture."
  • All fuel burning appliances have the potential to produce CO in varying concentrations.
  • CO can result from improperly vented or malfunctioning combustion appliances such as furnaces, stove and hot water heaters.
    •

    How Does CO Affect the Human Body?

  • After being inhaled, CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood cells forming Carboxyhemoglobin.
  • Carboxyhemoglobin (a red blood cell carrying CO instead of oxygen) reduces the amount of oxygen available in the bloodstream and affects all major organs.
  • Extended exposure to low or brief exposure to high levels of CO will lead to unconsciousness or death.
  • Tissues with the highest oxygen needs are most affected by CO including the brain, heart and other large muscles.
  • Early signs of CO poisoning are: headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion.
  • High risk groups for CO poisoning include: Infants/children, pregnant women, people with angina (chest pains), anyone who has trouble breathing, elderly people, individuals with anemic conditions
  • Remember even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer.
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    What are Some of the Common Sources of CO in a Residence?

  • unvented cooking appliances and wood burning fireplaces
  • gas, oil, wood or coal furnace and blocked chimney
  • water heater
  • gas refrigerator
  • gas clothes dryer
  • attached garage
  • barbecue grill
  • pool/spa heaters
  • tobacco smoke
  • ceiling mounted unit heater
  • fuel burning space heaters
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    Myths about Carbon Monoxide

    Myth: Cracks in a heat exchange can produce CO.

    Fact: Heat exchanger cracks alone do not produce CO. If a crack exists, and CO is being produced in the combustion process (too much fuel, not enough air), then there is a probability that CO can exit through the crack and into the distribution air.

    Myth: There is always CO in the flue gases.

    Fact: CO is produced when there is not enough air supplied to a combustion appliance during the process. The balance of fuel and air can change in a matter of minutes, leading to CO productions. CO can be diluted by other gases, producing lower reading when sampling certain locations. The sampling location must be close to combustion process and upstream from any draft diverters.

    Myth: Instruments do not need to be calibrated regularly.

    Fact: All electronic instruments using highly accurate gas specific sensors must be calibrated on a known concentration of gas every six months, or more frequently if exposed to high level of CO.

    (Source: Bacharach, Inc. and Washington Gas)

    -END-

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