Here is a good explanation on Carbon Monoxide and the effects it can have on your family. Also trying to keep you educated. Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Andra
By Steven O’Donnell Senior Trainer for AHIT
In the home, the EPA is the one that sets the “recommended” limits. This limit is set at 9 ppm for occupants in a home. Other entities have the same 9 ppm limit; WHO and ASHRAE. There are studies that indicate that even low level exposures can have long term health effects especially if the occupants already have re-existing pulmonary (lung) or circulatory (heart) conditions.
At low level concentrations the symptoms are; fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations symptoms include impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. Exposures can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home.
Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal.
CO detectors do not function like smoke detectors. They have a certain concentration of CO that must be attained over a certain time period. One manufacturer for example has the following requirements for the alarm to sound (threshold):
|
Parts Per Million |
Detector Response Time, Minutes |
|
30 +/- 3ppm |
No alarm within 30 days |
|
70 +/- 5ppm |
60-240 |
|
150 +/- 5ppm |
10-50 |
|
400 +/- 10ppm |
4-15 |
CO detectors should be placed much like smoke detectors; bedrooms, hallways, one per floor minimum, etc. Consult manufacturer’s installation instructions for proper placement.
