Carbon monoxide
Nature of Pollutant
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most widely distributed and the most commonly occurring air pollutant. Total emissions of CO to the atmosphere exceed emissions of all other pollutants combined, on a weight basis. Fortunately, CO does not persist in the atmosphere, but is quickly converted to carbon dioxide. However, carbon monoxide can reach dangerous levels in very localized areas, or "hotspots," such as heavily traveled intersections or city streets, not to mention inside homes with faulty heating. In addition, CO has been implicated in ozone formation.
Most people are familiar with carbon monoxide and are aware that automobiles produce this deadly, odorless and colorless gas. In Montgomery County , more than 80 percent of all the manmade CO comes from cars, trucks and buses. In fact, this gas is produced almost anytime something is burned. All substances that are living (plants, animals) or that were once living (wood, coal, oil, gasoline) are composed of carbon compounds. If these substances are burned in the presence of sufficient oxygen, the carbon is converted to carbon dioxide gas (CO2). If, as is often the case, not enough oxygen is present, carbon monoxide gas is also produced. For example, high concentrations of CO can be found in cigarette smoke.
Carbon monoxide's danger lies in the extremely strong affinity that hemoglobin has for it. Hemoglobin, the special oxygen-transporting material in the red blood cell, has an approximately 200 times stronger affinity for CO than for oxygen. Therefore, if both carbon monoxide and oxygen are present in the lungs, the carbon monoxide will strongly bond to the hemoglobin and thus prevent vital oxygen from reaching bodily tissues. As a result, the heart must pump harder and faster to get the normal amount of oxygen to various parts of the body. Obviously, this puts a heavy burden on people with heart disease, and can aggravate angina, but even healthy adults can suffer from the effects of CO.
High levels of CO, as from a running automobile in a closed garage, can result in death. In fact, a significant portion of the fatal poisonings in the US results from CO poisoning. You can help by insuring adequate ventilation, using extreme caution with space heaters, and by insuring that home appliances are operating properly.
At lower levels headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, fatigue, and visual disturbances can result, and even at lower levels there can be decreased manual dexterity and decreased ability to learn.
If you notice these symptoms at home, you should immediately seek adequate ventilation, and then get assistance in checking your combustion appliances, such as fuel-fired heating systems, including hot water heaters. Do not forget to consult with your doctor!