Carbon monoxide
Carbon Monoxide and solid fuel
Many people think that carbon monoxide only comes
from gas appliances but the truth is that ANY
fuel that burns creates carbon monoxide. The Guild of Master
Sweeps has published a leaflet to raise awareness of the
dangers of solid fuel related carbon monoxide poisonings
click here to view the Carbon Monoxide safety flyer
By now we should all know that carbon monoxide is a very
dangerous, colorless, odorless gas
But for a little better understanding, let's take
a quick trip back to high school chemistry class. The fuels
you burn for home heating are mostly compounds known as
hydrocarbons (hydrogen + carbon). In your appliance these
hydrocarbons are mixed with oxygen from the air in your
home, and burned to produce heat. When your appliance and
chimney are working properly, the fuel is burned more or
less completely, and the resulting fumes are mainly carbon
dioxide (carbon + 2 oxygen atoms) and water vapor. If your
appliance doesn't get enough oxygen, either because the
house is too air tight or the chimney isn't functioning
properly, carbon monoxide (carbon +1 oxygen atom) is produced
instead. It's the lack of that one little oxygen atom that
causes all the trouble.
What
carbon monoxide does to you
Too much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know we should
avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to
this gas also endangers your health.
In the body the red blood cells transport oxygen around
the body. It can do this because the chemical bonds between
the oxygen and the hemoglobin are week enabling the red
cells to easily drop the oxygen where it is needed. Carbon
monoxide forms a more permanent bond with hemoglobin which
can not normally be broken. Effectively preventing the blood
transporting oxygen to the body tissues.
The side effects that can result from this low-level exposure
include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the
elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are
those with anemia or heart disease.
The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning
are so easily mistaken for those of the common cold, flu or exhaustion
that proper diagnosis can be delayed. Because of this, be sure to
see your doctor about persistent, flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue
or generalized depression.
Why chimney maintenance is important
When fuels burn in an appliance, the fumes that are the
by-products of combustion - including carbon monoxide -
are released into the chimney. Removing these fumes from
the living area is the main purpose of a chimney. In addition
to carrying off toxic gases, chimneys also create the draft
(flow of air) that provides the proper air and fuel mixture
for efficient operation of the heating appliance. Unfortunately,
many chimneys in daily use in homes throughout the country
either are improperly sized or have conditions that make
them unable to perform their intended function.
Chimneys servicing gas appliances need to be cleaned
annually
As well as making sure that all gas appliances are serviced
annually it is also the landlords responsibility to make
sure that the flue ways are cleaned annually by a qualified
chimney sweep
To help stop the vast amount of people dying each year
from carbon monoxide poisoning the health and safety executive
has documentation stating that all gas flues need to be
swept annually by qualified chimney sweeps and that this
responsibility cannot be passed on to the tenant.
Beware of the silent killer,
HSE's reminder during CO Awareness week
Carbon monoxide awareness
Law and HSE enforcement
Additional info
| Carboxyhaemoglobin % |
Symptom |
| 0-10 |
None |
| 10-20 |
Tightness across forehead |
| 20-30 |
Headaches |
| 30-40 |
Severe headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting |
| 40-50 |
Coma, intermittent convulsions |
| 60-70 |
Depressed heart action, death possible |
| 70-80 |
Weak pulse, slowed respiration, death likely |
| >80 |
Death in minutes. |
If you suspect that you or
someone you know is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning
get urgent medical advise and do not use your appliance
until it has been checked by a competent person.
