Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon Monoxide1
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless
gas that can be harmful when inhaled in large amounts. Carbon Monoxide may be
found in outdoor and indoor air. In outdoor air, carbon monoxide is emitted
from vehicle combustion or other machinery that burns fossil fuels. Carbon
monoxide may be released in indoor air by unvented kerosene and gas space
heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces and gas stoves.
Carbon Monoxide In Maryland4
The map below shows emergency department
visit due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Maryland in 2009.
Why Should We Care 2
Carbon Monoxide is often called the
“Silent Killer” because of its ability to take lives quickly and quietly when
its victims never even knew they were at risk. It is undetectable to humans,
being both tasteless and odorless, and in high enough concentrations it can
kill within minutes. Carbon monoxide claims hundreds of lives each year, and
survivors of Carbon monoxide poisoning can be left with psychological and
neurological symptoms. Carbon monoxide victims could be saved through
education, awareness, and simple protection.
What Can You Do3
The most important thing you can do is
to install a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home and make sure the batteries are
operating correctly. You should also maintain and operate combustion equipment
properly.
- Make sure carbon
monoxide detectors are not covered up by furniture or curtains.
- Make sure
appliances are properly installed and operating with adequate ventilation.
- Never operate
unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows.
- Install and use
an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
Where to Buy And How To Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors?6
You may purchase a detector at your
local hardware store or online.
See attached for Where to Install, How to Install, and Setup and
Maintenance for your detector
About Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide, Summertime, And Boating

There are certain carbon monoxide risks
that occur in summertime. Large boats (such as house boats) sometimes have a
generator that vent toward the rear of the boat. Individuals who are near the
rear deck or water platform are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon
monoxide can build up above the water, near the water platform, in the air
space beneath the stern deck, or on and/or near the swim deck.
Traveling at slow speeds or idling in
the water can cause carbon monoxide to build up in a boat’s cabin, cockpit,
bridge, or in an open area.
Back drafting can cause carbon monoxide
to build up inside the cabin, cockpit, and bridge when a boat is operated at a
high bow angle, improperly or heavily loaded, or draws in exhaust form an opening.
This build-up is extremely dangerous and
can kill someone in seconds.
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning On Boats5
- Install and
properly maintain a carbon monoxide detector.
- Educate all passengers
about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Swim and play
away from areas where engines vent their exhaust.
- Never block
exhaust outlets.
- Dock, bench, or
anchor at least 20 feet away from nearest boat that is running. Exhaust form a
nearby vessel can send carbon monoxide into your cabin/cockpit.
Carbon Monoxide, Genorators, And Cold Weather

Never use a generator inside homes, garages,
crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can
quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the
generator has shut off.
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Wintertime
- Never
burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide.
- Make
sure the flue is open before starting a fire in the fireplace
- Have a trained professional
inspect, clean and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues and
chimneys) annually.
- Do not run a
vehicle inside a garage.
- Never use a gas
range or oven for heating and make sure your gas appliances are vented out
properly.
Citation
- [1] US EPA. (n.d.). Basic Information about Carbon Monoxide (CO) Outdoor Air Pollution. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from https://www.epa.gov/co-pollution/basic-information-about-carbon-monoxide-co-outdoor-air-pollution#What is CO
- [2]https://maps.dhmh.maryland.gov/epht/metadata/Carbon%20Monoxide%20Poisoning%20metadata%20-%20January%202016.pdf
- [3] US EPA. (n.d.). Carbon Monoxide’s Impact on Indoor Air Quality. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality#Reduce_Exposure
- [4] https://maps.dhmh.maryland.gov/eh/epht/coed/
- [5] US CDC. (n.d.).Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning on Your Boat. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/co/boating.htm
- [6] Install a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm.(n.d.). Lowes, Inc. [Company Profile]. Retrieved March 22, 2017, from https://www.lowes.com/projects/utility-and-storage/install-a-carbon-monoxide-alarm-and-smoke-detector/project
- [7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Flyers and Other Educational Materials. Retrieved February 1, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/co-materials.html
- [8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Prevention. Retrieved April 21, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/features/copoisoning/