Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Killer

 

 

Carbon monoxide is often called a silent killer because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it and yet it can kill quickly with few warning signs. In England around 400 people each year are admitted to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning and there are around 40 deaths. It can also lead to permanent brain damage.

 

Any home that has gas appliances is at risk from the dangers of carbon monoxide and so it’s important for all householders to be aware of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and know how to prevent this harmful gas from occurring.

 

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous substance that occurs when gas appliances are not working as intended. The problems can be caused by gas appliances that have not been fitted correctly or have not been repaired or maintained properly. If flues, chimneys or air vents are blocked, this can also cause carbon monoxide to occur.

 

It’s important that all your gas appliances are regularly serviced by a registered gas engineer to ensure that they are safe. You should also invest in carbon monoxide detectors for your home which will give you a warning if carbon monoxide occurs. Choose one that emits a noise when carbon monoxide is present – rather than ones that simply change colour as you might not notice this until it’s too late.

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by breathing in the toxic gas – even in very small amounts. The carbon monoxide enters the blood stream and stops red blood cells from carrying oxygen. This lack of oxygen can kill quickly or can be very harmful to health when experienced over a longer period.

 

There are a number of symptoms which could indicate carbon monoxide poisoning. These include headaches, nausea, breathlessness and dizziness. If you notice that these symptoms occur when you are in the house or they get worse when you are at home it could be a sign of poisoning. However, it’s important to remember that many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning without noticing any symptoms so even if you feel well, it’s sensible to make sure your gas appliances are serviced regularly.

 

It’s important to remember that it’s not just gas appliances that can be a danger. Other forms of heating around the house such as wood burning fires can also create carbon monoxide, so even if you do not use gas, it’s worth investing in a carbon monoxide detector. Some people have even become unwell after using equipment such as camping stoves in enclosed spaces.

 

So remember – to keep you and your family safe from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Fit a good quality carbon monoxide detector with an alarm


• Ensure gas appliances are serviced regularly


• Replace faulty appliances


• Be aware of the symptoms but don’t rely on them as an early warning of poisoning


• Ensure you have adequate ventilation around cooking and heating appliances

 

If you suspect you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, it’s important to get fresh air and medical advice as soon as possible. Do not re-enter the building until it has been checked and approved by a qualified professional.

 

For more information about carbon monoxide, visit: www.carbonmonoxidekills.org.uk

Categories: carbon, carbon monoxide, gas appliances, monoxide, monoxide detector, monoxide poisoning, nbsp, nbsp carbon, serviced regularly

Uncover These 5 Hidden Dangers in Your Home

 

Your home is your place of security and comfort, but it can also be a source of potential health dangers as well. In fact, what you touch and breathe could literally make you ill. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn about the top five home health hazards to protect both you and your family.

There are hidden dangers lurking in your home that can affect your health, some of which may include carpet fumes, odorless gases, and even the household cleaners stored in the cabinet can all potentially harm your family. Here’s what you need to be aware of.

 

1. Carbon Monoxide

This odorless gas provides zero warning before it makes everyone sick and can sometimes even cause death. Every year, around 500 people actually die from this silent but deadly killer. Usually, contamination occurs if an organic fuel is inappropriately burned without adequate ventilation. Typical sources of carbon monoxide include gas and kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, tobacco smoke, wood stoves, gas water heaters, and vehicle exhaust.

 

2. Pesticides

Roach baits and sprays, flea and tick shampoos, weed killers, and insect repellants are just some of the harmful pesticides found in the average home. But, if they’re improperly stored or used in the wrong manner, pesticides can pose a danger to your heath, which may cause breathing problems, nerve damage, and more. If you have a suspected bug problem, it’s best to use a professional pest control company like Arab Termite and Pest Control or a provider in your area to safely and thoroughly eliminate them from your home.

 

3. E. Coli and Salmonella

E. coli infection can happen if you unintentionally eat a contaminated food that wasn’t cleaned or cooked properly. People are most generally infected with dangerous salmonella after handling or eating contaminated raw foods, including vegetables, eggs, fruits, and beef. Contamination from salmonella can often happen during food preparation or the butchering or harvesting process.

 

4. Mold

Mold is basically a kind of microscopic, tiny living organism that grows in places where organic matter, oxygen, and moisture exist. Exposure to mold can ultimately cause eye irritation, chronic cough, sinus and nasal congestion, and could also cause lung infections or trigger asthma attacks in people with chronic respiratory issues. Be sure to identify any water damage and associated mold early, and have professionals remove the dangerous mold colonies.

 

5. Lead

Exposure to lead has been linked to severe health problems that can range from nerve disorders to key changes in mental development and/or behavior along with other disorders. Although it’s been officially eliminated since 1978 in consumer-based products, it still exists in the homes that have never been upgraded. Older homes with lead-based paints, drinking water (think lead pipes), contaminated soil, and general household dust are all substantial sources of toxic lead exposure.

Addressing these harmful toxins is a logical start to making your family and home much safer and healthier. Good health is priceless.

 

Categories: carbon monoxide, e coli, hidden home dangers, lead, mold, Pesticides, Salmonella

How to Prevent Environmental and Health Damage of Wood Smoke

As with any by-product of burning, wood smoke contains a number of pollutants that can be harmful to your wellbeing. The four main ones that threaten your health are particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Let’s take a look at the potential dangers of each pollutant.

 

Particulate matter is one of the primary components of smog, and can travel into your lungs where it will cause respiratory and heart problems. At high levels, colourless, odourless CO gas is poisonous, and can mess up your blood’s delivery of oxygen to the rest of your body. VOC is a term that covers a wide range of compounds that often don’t have a colour, taste or smell, but they can directly impact your health as well as contributing to smog. Finally, as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are thought to cause cancer, these compounds are of particular concern. Therefore, if you use a wood stove, fireplace or fire pit in your home or garden, you need to take steps to minimise your risk of health damage.

 

1. Make sure you use the right wood: The wood should be dry, clean and properly seasoned. This means you need to cut it, split it and stack it in a covered area for about six months before you burn it.

 

2. Make sure you use the right technique: With the right technique, you can produce more heat and, as a result, use less wood. When you’re starting the fire, allow for as much ventilation and possible. Then, when the wood is well-charred, close the dampers.

 

3. Make sure you use the right size: As smaller pieces of wood burn more efficiently, they are a better source of heat so opt for smaller sizes.

 

4. Make sure you don’t burn household waste: It can be tempting to get rid of your household rubbish by just chucking it on the fire, but it can really do some damage to your fireplace or fire pit. More to the point, wrappers, plastics, foam, the coloured ink on magazines, and boxes produce harmful chemicals when burned, so you’re not doing any good to your environmental wellness.

 

5. Make sure the wood has not been chemically treated: Pressure treated or any other chemically treated wood is often used for structures in outdoor settings such as fences, decks and play structures, but it’s not safe to burn. These kinds of woods produce smoke that may produce chemical residues that could threaten your health. Instead, consult the local authorities in your area for the best way to dispose of chemically treated wood.

 

6. Make sure the wood you use won’t emit toxins into the environment: Driftwood, plywood, particle board, or any wood with glue on or in it will release toxic chemicals when burned, so steer clear.

 

7. Make sure the wood doesn’t threaten family wellness: Burning wood that’s wet, rotted, diseased or mouldy may expose your family to health-harming moulds and spores. If your child has a respiratory condition, they will be at a particular risk as these conditions are believed to be especially sensitive to mould. Plus, you can protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing at least one CO detector in your home.

 

8. Make sure the air is right: You should not burn wood on days when the air pollution levels are high.

 

9. Make sure you keep up with the maintenance and care guidelines: There’s a reason that the manufacturers recommend certain procedures, so follow these carefully when cleaning and maintaining your chimney.

Categories: aromatic hydrocarbons, burning wood, carbon monoxide, chemically treated, health impact, particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic, prevention, treated wood, wood, wood smoke