Health Encyclopedia

Carbon monoxide

Definition

Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that causes thousands of deaths each year in North America. It is the leading cause of poisoning death in the United States.

This article discusses poisoning from breathing in carbon monoxide.

Poisonous Ingredient

Carbon monoxide, a chemical produced from the incomplete burning of natural gas or other products containing carbon.

Where Found

The following items may produce carbon monoxide:

Anything that burns coal, gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, or wood
Automobile engines
Charcoal grills (charcoal should never be burned indoors)
Indoor and portable heating systems
Portable propane heaters
Stoves (indoor and camp stoves)
Water heater that use natural gas

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

When you breathe in carbon monoxide, the poison replaces the oxygen in your bloodstream. Your heart, brain, and body will become starved of oxygen.

Symptoms vary from person to person. Those at high risk include young children, the elderly, persons with lung or heart disease, people at high altitudes, and smokers. Carbon monoxide can harm a fetus (unborn baby still in the womb).

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

Breathing problems, including no breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
Chest pain (may occur suddenly in people with angina)
Coma
Confusion
Convulsions
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fainting
Headache
Hyperactivity
Impaired judgment
Irritability
Low blood pressure
Muscle weakness
Rapid or abnormal heart beat
Shock
Nausea and vomiting
Unconsciousness

Home Treatment

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move him or her to fresh air. Seek immediate medical help.

PREVENTION

Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Place an additional detector near any major gas-burning appliances (such as a furnace or water heater).

Many carbon monoxide poisonings occur in the winter months when furnaces, gas fireplaces, and portable heaters are being used and windows are closed. Make sure you have any heaters and gas-burning appliances regularly inspected to make sure they are safe to use.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
How long they may have been exposed to the carbon monoxide, if known

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. The patient may receive:

Oxygen
Medicines to treat symptoms
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Expectations (prognosis)

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause death. For those who survive, recovery is slow. How well a person does depends on the amount and length of exposure to the carbon monoxide. Permanent brain damage may occur.

If the patient still has impaired mental ability after 2 weeks, the chance of a complete recovery is not very good. Impaired mental ability can reappear within the first 1-2 weeks in those who have been symptom free for a short while.

References

Kao LW. Toxicity associated with carbon monoxide. Clin Lab Med. 2006; 26(1): 99-125.

Sather JE . Toxins. Anesthesiol Clin North America. 2006; 24(3); 647-670.

Review Date:1/17/2007
Reviewed By:Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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