Consumer Protection Safety Commission Document #4466

& David G Penney, PhD

The Hazard

What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the home?

CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, or wood may produce CO. If such appliances ar not installed, maintained, and used properly, CO may accumulate to dangerous levels.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning and why are these symptoms particularly dangerous?

Breathing CO causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and weakness in healthy people. CO also causes sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation. At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.

This is particularly dangerous because CO effects often are not recognized. CO is odorless and some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu or other common illnesses.

Are some people more affected by exposure to CO than others?

CO exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants, and people with anemia or a history of heart disease. Breathing low levels of the chemical can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms What they can and cannot do CAN - sense unacceptable levels of CO in the air CAN - provide early warning, before a healthy adult might show symptoms CAN - act as round-the-clock monitor of CO CAN - only sense CO that reaches it - Where you hang a detector is important CAN - breakdown like any other electronic device CANNOT - work without electrical power (batteries,                 AC) CANNOT - sense smoke, natural gas, propane, etc. (It is not a smoke detector!) Where to put (or not put) your detector PUT - near a bedroom, or other room where people spend most of their time; where its alarm can be heard. READ the instructions that come with your Detector. DO NOT PUT - in garage, furnace room, near cooking stove, etc. DO NOT PUT - in dead air space, corner of room, near floor, in peak of vaulted ceiling. DO NOT PUT - near open windows or doors. DO NOT PUT - in excessively hot or cold areas, or excessively damp or dry areas. DO NOT PUT - a cloth or plastic cover over the detector Why Should I Demand A CO Test? Carbon Monoxide is the #1 cause of poisonings in the U.S. Yet less than 5% of all CO Poisonings are reported! The safe and efficient operation of your heating equipment and other combustion appliances cannot be determined without testing using a calibrated combustion analyzer. Because the technology, instruments and training to do this testing correctly have only been available for a few years, odds are it’s never been done. Our service technician is certified to properly test and diagnose potential CO exposure. Why Should I Demand A CO Test? It’s About Your Health, Safety and Comfort.  Carbon monoxide, even in small quantities can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and the elderly. Millions of unsuspecting homeowners are exposed to low levels of CO and don’t even know it. Unfortunately, U.L. Listed CO alarms don’t go off until your family has been exposed to 70 ppm (parts per million) for over 3-1/2 hours! Most international limits for unsafe levels, including OSHA and the World Health Organization’s guidelines, are between at 15-35 ppm. Carbon monoxide can come from additional sources in your home besides your heating equipment, and they should be checked. These sources include your Water Heater, Gas Range, Gas Logs, Space Heater, Boiler – even an attached garage. Even New Equipment Needs to Be Tested.  Anytime equipment is installed, it’s being exposed to conditions in which it has never been tested to perform. Venting systems, combustion air, duct systems, additional appliances in the building, building pressure etc., can all affect its operation. Besides that, after leaving the factory it’s likely your equipment has been loaded and unloaded on trucks and transported several times. Vibration and shock can cause components to shift and move. The only way to truly know if your new equipment is operating safely and efficiently is to test it once it’s been installed. Better Contractors Don’t Guess - They Measure!   If CO testing is part of our normal protocols and our technician will advise you of this prior to servicing or installing equipment. We always carry a CO Monitor to immediately check if unsafe CO levels are present. When working on the equipment, our technician will likely drill a hole in the flue of the appliance, and insert the probe of an electronic combustion analyzer to check actual burner performance. Additional performance testing might require holes to be drilled into the ductwork as well. Once he’s finished testing, he will provide documentation and review his results with you. Frequently Asked Questions QUESTION: I have a CO Alarm in my house, shouldn’t this warn me if there is a problem? ANSWER: If you purchased your alarm from a store, it will usually only warn you of a life threatening condition. If you read the fine print on the product’s UL listing, you’ll find it offers little protection for children, the elderly, or persons with existing illnesses or CO sensitivity. QUESTION: What level of carbon monoxide can be harmful? ANSWER: According to the World Health Organization, 15-20 ppm is the first level of CO that can affect us. Levels as low as 30 ppm have been discovered to cause heart problems. Store CO alarms do not have to activate until they see 70 ppm for 3-1/2 hours! QUESTION: What type of alarm should I have then? ANSWER: Ask us about a low-level monitor that alerts you at levels beginning at 15 ppm. Make sure it’s battery operated and visually tells you it’s working 24/7. QUESTION: Can’t I just call my gas company if I think I have a problem? ANSWER: Would you call the gas station if you had a problem with your car? Gas companies are well versed in fuel leaks, but their main business is not appliance service and few of them are Certified CO/Combustion Analysts. QUESTION: How do I know that you are a Certified CO Combustion Analyst? ANSWER: Ask to see our technician's NCI wallet card, plus you will recognize his level of expertise and ability to explain to you what he is doing. What Should I Expect From My Heating Contractor? As a consumer you should expect your contractor to be trained in current technology that makes sure you’re heating system is safe, comfortable and efficient. These are probably things you may expect are mandatory, but unfortunately they’re not with other companies. The number one benefit of having Outwest Air's Certified CO/Combustion Analyst test your home and appliances for carbon monoxide is his extensive training and knowledge. We are trained to measure the safety and efficiency of all your combustion equipment, even appliances that we don’t normally sell or service. Thorough testing can also verify that your equipment is operating at peak efficiency and provide the lowest operating costs. Finally, we will provide you with documentation that explains what our technician has found and what corrections have been or need to be performed. We also provide you with material to better educate you about carbon monoxide sources and health effects. Call us, email us, or click today to schedule an appointment. Outwest Air:  (435) 688.9378  (435) OUT-WEST info@outwestair.com