Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. In the UK, more than 50 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year, and 200 people are seriously injured.
How is it leaked?
Incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated cooking and heating appliances can leak carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide poisoning doesn't happen only in low-income homes such as council houses and student accommodation: leaks can occur in any home or enclosed space, at any time.
What damage does it do?
When you breathe in carbon monoxide it enters your bloodstream. There, it mixes with haemoglobin (part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body) to form carboxyhaemoglobin, a substance which affects blood vessels in the body, making them leak. This in turn leads to swelling of the brain, unconsciousness and nerve damage.
Carbon monoxide also stops your blood from carrying oxygen, causing body cells and tissues to die.
The smaller the person or animal, the faster carbon monoxide poisoning takes effect. Elderly people are also particularly vulnerable, as are those with heart and lung problems.
Know the signs
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to cold and flu symptoms. They can occur a few days or even a few months after exposure to carbon monoxide and include:
In children, symptoms are similar to those of a stomach upset with nausea and vomiting.
Severe carbon monoxide poisoning may cause a fast and irregular heartbeat, hyperventilation (quick, shallow breathing), confusion, drowsiness and difficulty in breathing. It can result in seizures, loss of consciousness and death.
Suspect carbon monoxide poisoning if:
- A person in your household has a flu-like illness but without a high temperature.
- More than one person in your home has symptoms.
- You go away (for example on holiday) and your symptoms get better, then get worse when you return.
- A pet becomes ill and dies unexpectedly.
- Your symptoms are seasonal, for example worse in winter when the heating is on.
Treatment
Your GP or doctor can test for carbon monoxide poisoning by checking the levels in your blood. If you have been poisoned, you need to get away from the source of the gas. Treatment usually includes basic life support and oxygen replacement.
Those who have mild poisoning generally make a full recovery. In cases of more severe carbon monoxide poisoning, between 10% and 50% go on to experience long-term health problems such as poor memory and concentration, urinary incontinence and in some cases, after years of exposure to carbon monoxide, coronary heart disease.
How to save a life
Protect your family from carbon dioxide poisoning by taking steps to reduce the risk of a leak:
- Make sure all your household appliances are safe and well-maintained.
- Ensure all boilers, heating systems and appliances are installed and serviced at least once a year by a reputable, registered engineer, such as Gas Safe Register for gas appliances, HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) for solid fuel appliances, or OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) for oil appliances.
- Never use ovens or gas taps to heat your home.
- Make sure rooms are properly ventilated when using an appliance. Stop using an appliance if you think it may be leaking carbon monoxide gas.
- Sweep chimneys and flues regularly. Keep them clear.
- Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets European Standard EN50291.
- If you suffer from symptoms like food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple fatigue and think they could be caused by carbon monoxide, see your GP at once and say you think it might be carbon monoxide poisoning.
