Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

Did you know that continuous low-level carbon monoxide (CO) exposure could cause lethargy, listlessness, lack of motivation and sleepiness? Not only can it be mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome, but allergies, clinincal depression, or even an endocrine disorder as well.

Some signs that might indicate byproducts of combustion entering homes from gas appliances are:

• Increased condensation on the inside of your windows
• Decreased hot water supply
• Soot occurring on or around your appliances or vents
• Unexplained mold growth behind furniture or in closets
• Excessive sickness in your home and family
• Unfamiliar or acrid odors

The following checklist will help you minimize the risk in your home.

3 Ways Furnaces And Boilers Can Place Your Home At Risk:

If you have an older furnace or boiler, carbon monoxide poisoning risks are heightened by...

1. Loose vent pipes

2. Fatigued metal that cracks

3. Corrosion from condensation

6 Danger Signs You Can Observe

If you observe any of the following warning signs, get a professional to perform an inspection immediately...

1. Rust or water streaks on your furnace vent or chimney

2. Loose or missing furnace panels

3. Soot or debris in or around your furnace or boiler

4. Loose or disconnected vent pipes

5. Loose masonry on masonry chimneys

6. Moisture inside your windows

3 Problems You Cannot See

It is recommended that you hire a professional to conduct a safety check on your heating system to check for...

1. Internal damage to your equipment

2. Malfunctioning components

3. Hidden blockage or damage in the vent or chimney

5 Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Life threatining levels may be present if you experience the following...

1. Severe headaches

2. Dizziness

3. Confusion

4. Nausea

5. Faintness

4 Symptoms Of MILD Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The signs of mild levels of carbon monoxide poisoning include...

1. Shortness of breath

2. Mild nausea

3. Mild headaches

4. Flu symptoms that disappear when leaving home and come back after returning home

4 Immediate Action Steps If You Suspect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately...

1. Open doors and windows

2. Turn off the combustion appliances

3. Leave the home

4. Go to an emergency room and tell the doctor you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. A blood test soon after exposure can provide confirmation

2 Sources Of Additional Information

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, contact...

1. EPA's Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318

2. Consumer Product Safety Commission at (800) 638-2772

There are many potential sources of CO in the home. Your furnace or boiler, cars operating in attached garages (even for a short time), gas or oil water heaters, gas ovens, ranges, fireplaces, supplementary heaters, charcoal grilles, kerosene heaters, wood-burning appliances or fireplaces, candles, and smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

You need to have your appliances checked for CO annually by a competent professional. If your appliance is producing an unacceptably high level of CO, steps should be taken to correct the problem. If the problem cannot be corrected, the appliance should be shut down or tagged off as unsafe.

The vent system should also be checked annually. Vent pipes with holes, sagging, cracks, bad mortar seal or obstructions can be hazardous and should be replaced.

If a furnace has a crack or hole in the heat exchanger it may be unsafe. A crack by itself does not produce CO, but if it causes the flames to move when the blower comes on, it must be shut down as unsafe. A small crack will only get bigger as time goes by, and eventually lead to the need for a replacement.

Low level CO exposure can result in strange visions, sound, anxiety, and sudden death.  All of these have been associated with hauntings.  In a 1921 medical journal article, a haunting was discovered to be the result of CO exposure from incomplete furnace combustion.  In 2005, a woman was found delirious and hyperventilating after seeing a ghost in the shower.  The ghost was the result of a poorly vented gas water heater.