Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that is very toxic, because it combines with the body's blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gasoline, kerosene, heating oil, propane, diesel fuel, natural gas, wood and coal. The risk of CO accumulation is greater with poorly ventilated areas. Vents, equipment and chimneys that are not properly installed or maintained are the primary cause of carbon monoxide, even when operating properly. For this reason a car engine or other type of internal combustion engine should never be operated in an enclosed area, such as a garage.

A person exposed to carbon monoxide may complain of dizziness, headache, nausea, sleepiness, fatigue and flu-like or similar symptoms. In extreme cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. If you suspect high levels of CO in your home, contact us immediately at (850)729-4700 for a CO test then get your family out of the house and seek medical attention, if necessary.

Burning solid fuels also normally produces some carbon monoxide, so it is important that fireplace chimneys are unobstructed and that wood and charcoal are never burned in an indoor area without proper venting. Portable gas grills intended for outside use should never be used indoors, or in a garage or similar building.

When natural gas is used in a properly adjusted burner with an adequate air supply, its primary by-products are carbon dioxide and water vapor, the same substances that are exhaled when we breathe. However, when not enough air is available to support combustion, less carbon dioxide is produced and carbon monoxide is produced instead. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous, but proper use and maintenance of appliances and equipment can ensure their continued safe operation.

Should I buy a CO detector if I have natural gas equipment?

The risk of being affected by carbon monoxide poisoning from natural gas equipment is very low. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, natural gas and propane (or LP gas) equipment is responsible for about 140 fatalities from CO poisoning every year. About 53 million American homes have natural gas service. That means the chance of a CO fatality related to natural gas equipment is about one in 4 million.

The first step to take to prevent CO problems related to natural gas equipment is to have an annual inspection by a qualified technician. Between these inspections, homeowners should do a visual inspection on a regular basis, looking for indications of a problem, such as soot or water collecting near a vent or appliance.

If an additional measure of protection is desired, consumer may wish to purchase a CO detector, which should be certified to the national Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard for CO detectors and to the supplemental requirements of International Approval Service (IAS). Their supplemental requirements are designed, among other things, to reduce the large number of so-called nuisance alarms being created by the current generation of detectors.

However, a CO detector should never be substituted for the safe use of equipment and an annual inspection of heating and cooking equipment by a qualified technician.

Two types of detectors are currently in the marketplace. The "colormetric" detectors use a semi-permeable gel or "gel cell" that changes color when exposed to CO. The gel absorbs CO at the same rate as the hemoglobin in human blood, getting darker as it absorbs higher levels. When a light sensor in the detector recognizes the color change, the alarm goes off. With this technology, the battery and the sensor come in a package that must be replaced every two years.

The second type of detector uses a metal oxide as a semiconductor, which changes its level of conductivity when exposed to CO. An electronic circuit senses the change in current through the semiconductor and sets off the alarm. This technology can be plugged into a regular AC house receptacle or uses a standard nine-volt battery.