What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is formed when carbon in fuel, like wood, is not burned completely. It is also produced by internal-combustion engines. Carbon monoxide has always been present in the atmosphere, chiefly as a product of volcanic activity. Carbon Monoxide occurs dissolved in molten volcanic rock at high pressures in the earth's mantle. Because natural sources of carbon monoxide are so variable from year to year, it is extremely difficult to accurately measure natural emissions of the gas.
Where does CO come from?
CO in outdoor air is generally a component of motor vehicle exhaust and other non-road engines and vehicles such as construction equipment, off-road vehicles and boats, fossil fuel combustion, residential wood burning, electricity generation, industrial processing, chemical manufacturing, and waste disposal. Natural sources of CO in Alaska are forest fires, methane gas from swamps, coastal marshes, surface waters of oceans and plant photosynthesis.Primary indoor sources of CO include wood stoves, residential wood burning, gas stoves, cigarette smoke, unvented gas and kerosene space heaters.
The highest levels of CO in the outside air typically occur during the colder months of the year when inversion conditions are more frequent. An inversion is when warm air moves over colder air. An inversion can lead to pollution such as smog being trapped close to the ground, with possible adverse effects on health. An inversion can also suppress removal of pollutants in the air by acting as a "cap".
Carbon monoxide is also a constituent of tobacco smoke and is a common type of poisoning in many areas especially in cold winter months.
How Carbon Monoxide can affect my family and community?
CO is a dangerous toxic gas. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is the most common type of fatal poisoning in cold weather months. Between 1994 and 2004, the CDC identified Alaska as having one of the the highest CO death rates. They believe this is likely because of variations in weather and geography and the prevalence of certain “risky” behaviors. For more health studies go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5650a1.htm?s_cid=mm5650a1_x.CO exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system and heart. Long term exposure may increase the incidence of cardiovascular symptoms. There may be complaints of persistent headaches, lightheadedness, depression, confusion and nausea. Upon removal from exposure, the symptoms usually resolve themselves. If you feel any of these symptoms, get away from the source and get into fresh air immediately. Also, after long term exposure, secondary illnesses often occur. Repeated exposures present a greater risk to persons with coronary heart disease and in pregnant women.
What can I to do to decrease CO in my community and at home?
In Alaska Villages, it is impossible to get away from all CO in winter months. Domestic carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented by the use of a household, battery operated carbon monoxide detector. If you do not have a CO detector, simple ventilation of your house periodically will work.In rural Alaska communities CO exposure can also happen during a maqivik, banya or steam bath. The smoke, if not vented properly could result in a high exposure to CO. Chronic or long term exposure to high concentrations of CO (30 to 100 ppm), such as in a poorly vented home, shed or garage can lead to long-term deterioration of the cardiovascular system.
Carbon monoxide in rooms with unvented kerosene space heaters will vary between 0.5 and 50 ppm depending on the ventilation. Some Alaska communities experience more aggravated conditions due to natural temperature inversions which trap the pollutants to the ground and prevent them from being carried away from the village.
Other ways to decrease exposure to CO both inside and outside is to:
- Always make sure to turn off any gas-powered engine (car, truck, snowmachine, ATV, chain saw, or generator) inside the house or an attached garage. Even if you park the vehicle in front of an open door to your house, you can still be affected or killed by CO. If you must warm or test the engine, take it outdoors before starting it.
- A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added protection, but it is no substitute for proper use and maintanance of heat sources and appliances that can produce CO.
- If you use a fuel-burning appliance for indoor uses (such as a heater), make sure it is vented to the outdoors and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Try not use an unvented fuel-burning appliance in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.
- Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Try to make sure that the window or door can be cracked every hour or every few hours.