Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Sources, Symptoms and How to Stay Safe

An invisible danger

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas with no smell and no color — and it is very dangerous. It can cause sudden illness and death.

Where it comes from

CO is in combustion fumes, from sources such as:

• cars and trucks;
• lanterns;
• stoves and gas ranges;
• heating systems.

These fumes can build up where there isn't a good flow of fresh air, and breathing them in can poison you.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:

• headache;
• dizziness;
• weakness;
• nausea and vomiting;
• chest pain;
• confusion.

CO poisoning is often hard to recognize, because these symptoms can look like other illnesses. And people who are asleep or intoxicated can die from it before they have any symptoms at all.

Protect yourself

A CO detector can warn you when levels of carbon monoxide in your home are high.

Sources

Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning," National Library of Medicine, drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.