Causes and prevention for carbon monoxide poisoning

In the United 状态s, 一氧化碳中毒每年导致400多人死亡，100多人死亡,000 trips to the emergency room, 根据 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 然而, as carbon monoxide poisoning often goes unreported, the number of instances is likely much higher.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, 无味的, 以及自然产生的无味气体和合成燃料的副产品.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

一氧化碳中毒是由吸入一氧化碳烟雾引起的，导致血液中一氧化碳的积累取代了血液中的氧气, deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen. 一氧化碳被称为“无声杀手”，因为它是人类感官无法检测到的，可以迅速导致意识丧失, brain damage or even death.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

一氧化碳中毒特别危险的原因是，早期症状可能被误认为是普通感冒或流感. 除非一氧化碳探测器检测到一氧化碳，否则你可能永远不会意识到你已经一氧化碳中毒，直到为时已晚.

症状的严重程度取决于吸入一氧化碳的量和持续时间，可能包括:

• 头疼
• 乏力
• Shortness of breath
• 恶心想吐
• 头晕
• 混乱
• 视力模糊
• 呕吐
• Loss of muscle coordination
• 无意识

根据 梅奥诊所，吸入一氧化碳对高危人群尤其危险，例如:

• 未出生的婴儿 due to fetal blood cells absorbing CO easier than adults.
• Infants and children since they take more breaths than adults.
• Older adults as they are at higher risk of developing brain damage.

W在这里 does carbon monoxide come from?

CO is produced whenever a material burns. 二氧化碳在森林火灾或火山爆发时自然产生，也可以通过合成燃料(如汽油动力汽车的运行)产生.

How might you be exposed to carbon monoxide?

• Smoke inhalation from a fire

• 使用不当的排气装置会产生危险的一氧化碳水平, 阻塞, or malfunctioning gas, 煤炭, wood or oil-burning appliances in or around your home such as:
  • Vehicles running in a confined space
  • 炉
  • 壁炉
  • Cooking appliances
  • 衣服烘干机
  • Woodburning stoves
  • 空间加热器
  • 烤架
• 住在交通繁忙的道路或排放一氧化碳的工厂附近
• 使用故障或维护不当的燃气设备
  • 剪草机
  • 链锯
  • 发电机
• Smoking or breathing in 二手烟

How can you help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

花一点时间来管理家里一氧化碳中毒的风险可能有助于保护你和你的家人免受无意的一氧化碳中毒.

• Consider regular inspections of your 家用电器 by a qualified technician once a year.
  • 炉 (理想情况下，应在采暖月份开始前检查.)
  • 燃气灶可以与炉子同时检查，以确保它们正常运行.)
  • 烟囱
• 即使车库门开着，也不要让车空转.
• 记住这一点 空间加热器, 烤箱, 便携式发电机和其他以汽油为动力的发动机会引起一氧化碳的积聚，应该通风良好.
• Lookout for these possible signs of a CO leak around your home.
  • Gas appliance flames are yellow or orange instead of blue
  • Black soot or stains on fuel-burning appliances and vents
  • Malfuctioning pilot lights
  • An increase in moisture on windows
• 收听并留意任何与天气有关的空气质素警告 野火 smoke to help limit carbon monoxide exposure.
• 考虑带一个便携式一氧化碳探测器到你的度假酒店房间.

What are some carbon monoxide detector tips?

除了…之外 烟雾探测器, 如果你家用天然气做饭，一氧化碳探测器就显得尤为重要, 加热, or has an attached garage. 另外, 把一氧化碳探测器正确地放置在你的家里，并了解它们的全部能力是关键.

• 如果你有 智能家居系统，请考虑连接一氧化碳探测器，以便在检测到一氧化碳时接收智能手机警报.
• 一些一氧化碳探测器的制造商提供组合或三合一探测器提醒你，当一氧化碳或爆炸性气体，如 天然气 or propane is detected. 许多家用天然气探测器或爆炸性气体探测器都需要插入电源插座，并配备备用电池.
• Try to keep the detectors at least 15 feet from cooking or 加热 appliances 远离浴室和厨房等高湿度的地方, as moisture can sometimes trigger faulty readings.
• It’s recommended that batteries be replaced in all 烟雾探测器 和一氧化碳探测器至少一年一次(或者更早，如果它“唧唧”地告诉你电池电量不足)。. It’s also recommended that older 烟雾探测器 be replaced every 10 years, CO detectors be replaced every 5 years.
• Install a CO detector on each level of your home, in or near each sleeping area and near attached garages.

What if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?

1. Exit the house immediately.
2. 检查每一个人, including your pets, for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. 拨打911.
4. Do not re-enter your home until authorities have cleared it.

Visit the CDC website for more information about carbon monoxide poisoning.