Carbon Monoxide

Is there any safe level of CO?

Everyone should live and work in a building that has zero ppm. Below is a chart that shows what could happen to a HEALTHY ADULT when exposed to different levels of CO.

 

Youngsters, toddlers, the elderly and anyone that is ill are at much greater risk.

 

CO Concentration
Symptom/Regulation..healthy adult
9 ppm (.0009%) Maximum allowable concentration for short term exposure in a living area - ASHRAE.
35 ppm (.0035%) Maximum allowable concentration in an area for continuous exposure in any 8-hour period - OSHA.
200 ppm (.02%) Headache, tiredness, dizziness, and nausea after 2-3 hours (many people mistake the flu for this).
400 ppm (.04%) Frontal headaches within 1-2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours.
800 ppm (.08%) Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes. Inconsciousness within 2 hours. Death within 2-3 hours.
1,600 ppm (.16%) Headache dizziness, and nausea within 20 minutes. Death within 1 hour.
3200 ppm (.32%) Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 5-10 minutes. Death within 30 minutes.
6400 ppm (.64%) Headache, dizziness and nausea within 1-2 minutes. death within 10-15 minutes.
12,800 ppm (1.28%) Death wthin 1-3 mniutes

 

According to a medical expert, it is difficult to diagnose low concentrations of carbon monoxide in the blood. Many cases like the flu like-symptoms of a cold could be incorrectly diagnosed. Some estimates proclaim that 50% of all flu cases are actually low level CO poisoning.

 

If you notice that you get sick every time of the year that you turn on the furnace, it just might be your furnace causing the damage and not your co-worker, child or in-law.

 

 

So, What is the next step?

 

1. Have your furnace annually cleaned and maintained by a properly trained technician. Make sure the technician uses the oil procedure for detecting cracks (Heat Exchanger Expert certified) in the heat exchanger.

 

2. Install CO detectors on every level of the home, especially near bedrooms and in all combustion appliance zones (CAZ's).

 

3. Detectors should detect CO from 9 ppm and upward. (most retail brands DO NOT meet this requirement call Energy Services for details).

 

4. Detectors should have battery backup

 

5. Detectors should be placed at eye level or higher and in areas of good airflow.

 

6. Read and comply with all installation instructions of CO detector.

 

7. Remember most store bought detectors only last three years.

 

 

What happens if CO detector goes off?

 

1. Open all doors and windows if possible and in some cases leave the home or get fresh air.

 

2. Turn off the furnace.

 

3. Call fire department if the levels are in the death range.

 

4. You might have to see a doctor.

 

5. Call Energy Services and have your furnace cleaned and maintained