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To protect yourself and your
family from carbon monoxide, find out whether
you're at risk. Here
are some common questions and answers.
Q: What is carbon monoxide and why should I
be concerned about it?
A: Carbon monoxide is an odorless,
colorless gas that can be fatal when breathed. It's sometimes difficult to
determine if carbon monoxide is the culprit, because its symptoms are
similar to flu and allergies. Low levels can cause nausea, dizziness,
weakness and muscle ache. Higher doses can impair judgement, cause
paralysis or coma, and death.
Q: How does carbon monoxide get into the
home?
A: Carbon monoxide buildup can occur several ways:
when flues or chimneys become blocked so exhaust cannot be vented to the
outside; when a fuel burning furnace has a cracked or rusted heat
exchanger, allowing combustion gases into the living spaces; when
fuel-burning space heaters, ovens, ranges or grills are operated in the
home without adequate ventilation; when car exhaust from an attached
garage enters the home; when combustion equipment is not working properly
and causes incomplete combustion; and when there's a negative pressure
balance between the inside and outside of the home, preventing adequate
venting of combustion gases.
Q: What causes carbon monoxide to build to
dangerous levels?
A: Harmful build-ups of these gases can
occur when: exhaust from combustion equipment is not vented to the outside
of the home, and when combustion equipment is not in good working order
and is not regularly inspected for safe operation. Some homes may have a
problem with "backdrafting." That's when the air pressure inside
the home is less than the air pressure outside, causing combustion
by-products from furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and similar equipment
to spill back into the room rather than being vented outside. Backdrafting
can also occur when natural draft appliance exhaust is pulled back into
the house by mechanical ventilation -- like a down-draft kitchen power
vent.
Q: Is there a way to detect if my home has
carbon monoxide build-up?
A: There are carbon monoxide
detectors you can install, which will alert you to dangerous levels of
carbon monoxide. It is important to choose and place a detector wisely and
maintain it to assure accurate sensing of carbon monoxide.
Q: What signs can help me determine if carbon
monoxide is affecting my health?
A: Carbon monoxide may
be the problem if you feel bad only when you're inside the home and the
symptoms gradually disappear after you have left, or if more than one
person in the home has similar symptoms. Remember carbon monoxide related
symptoms are similar to those of the flu.
Q: How can I reduce the risk from carbon
monoxide?
A: The most important practice is to keep all
combustion equipment well-maintained and inspected for safety. Experts
recommend having your combustion heating systems inspected by a trained
professional every year. Such inspections should look for blocked openings
to flues and chimneys; cracked or disconnected flue pipe; signs of soot
around openings in your furnace or boiler; rust or cracks in the heat
exchanger; soot or creosote build-up; and exhaust or gas odors. Always
operate combustion equipment for its intended purpose and make sure it has
been installed correctly. Never use unvented combustion appliances
indoors.
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