Description:
Exposure to carbon monoxide has led to many fatalities, which could be avoided if people knew enough about this lethal gas. The hazards associated with carbon monoxide might be hard to flee because of the characteristics in which this gas occurs. The gas is both colorless and odorless and therefore detection can be quite an arduous task.
Incomplete Combustion
There are many causes of carbon monoxide but at the root of all of them is incomplete combustion. One of the main sources of carbon monoxide is carbon-based fuels that are not burned completely. Such fuels could fail to get to the required level of combustion for many reasons, but the major reason is the use of improperly functioning appliances. When appliances used to burn carbon-based fuels are functioning properly, they produce an amount of this gas that is harmless, but if the reverse is the case the gas is hazardous. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, such appliances should be properly maintained when they are put to use.
Malfunction of Cooking Appliances
Carbon monoxide levels can increase suddenly in the house because of the malfunction of a cooking appliance. In homes where furnaces are used, care should be observed in the event that the heat exchanger on the furnace cracks as this immediately exposes the occupants to carbon monoxide poisoning. Where wood is used as fuel, the chimney should be regularly checked to ensure that it is not blocked. If it is blocked, this reduces circulation of air and impedes burning resulting in carbon monoxide production. The lethal gas is also be produced by vehicles that are left idling. Should the car be parked in the garage close to the house, the gas will find its way into the house exposing the occupants to danger.
Inadequate Supply of Air
Another cause of carbon monoxide is inadequate supply of air in an environment where several combustion appliances are being used. This will normally be the case where several such appliances are put to use at the same time. Since all of them are consuming air, they will end up competing for the little air available and the result will be that some appliances will be unable to reach complete the combustion process. Carbon monoxide will also be produced when a fireplace or charcoal grill are not properly vented. The same will be the result if a stove that is used to burn wood is also not properly vented.
Description:
Exposure to carbon monoxide has led to many fatalities, which could be avoided if people knew enough about this lethal gas. The hazards associated with carbon monoxide might be hard to flee because of the characteristics in which this gas occurs. The gas is both colorless and odorless and therefore detection can be quite an arduous task.
Incomplete Combustion
There are many causes of carbon monoxide but at the root of all of them is incomplete combustion. One of the main sources of carbon monoxide is carbon-based fuels that are not burned completely. Such fuels could fail to get to the required level of combustion for many reasons, but the major reason is the use of improperly functioning appliances. When appliances used to burn carbon-based fuels are functioning properly, they produce an amount of this gas that is harmless, but if the reverse is the case the gas is hazardous. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, such appliances should be properly maintained when they are put to use.
Malfunction of Cooking Appliances
Carbon monoxide levels can increase suddenly in the house because of the malfunction of a cooking appliance. In homes where furnaces are used, care should be observed in the event that the heat exchanger on the furnace cracks as this immediately exposes the occupants to carbon monoxide poisoning. Where wood is used as fuel, the chimney should be regularly checked to ensure that it is not blocked. If it is blocked, this reduces circulation of air and impedes burning resulting in carbon monoxide production. The lethal gas is also be produced by vehicles that are left idling. Should the car be parked in the garage close to the house, the gas will find its way into the house exposing the occupants to danger.
Inadequate Supply of Air
Another cause of carbon monoxide is inadequate supply of air in an environment where several combustion appliances are being used. This will normally be the case where several such appliances are put to use at the same time. Since all of them are consuming air, they will end up competing for the little air available and the result will be that some appliances will be unable to reach complete the combustion process. Carbon monoxide will also be produced when a fireplace or charcoal grill are not properly vented. The same will be the result if a stove that is used to burn wood is also not properly vented.
