Infographic: Carbon monoxide

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Organization: Health Canada
Published:2017
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
What is carbon monoxide?
Gas produced during combustion
Who is at risk?
Anyone is at risk
Typical sources of carbon monoxide are (but not limited to):
- Heating appliances (furnace, gas water heater)
- Fireplaces/Wood stoves
- Cars
- Cooking and household appliances (gas stove, barbecue, gas dryer)
- Gas powered generators
- Gas powered equipment (lawnmower, snowblower)
- Cigarettes
Carbon monoxide has:
- NO smell
- NO taste
- NO colour
Health effects of CO:
- Low concentration
- Dizziness/confusion
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- High concentration
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Death
To prevent CO poisoning
- Install a certified CO alarm near bedrooms
- Clean chimney
- Don’t use barbecue or power generator indoors
- Don’t idle car or run gas-powered equipment in garage
- Maintain stoves/fireplaces and have your furnace checked annually
What to do if alarm sounds
- Leave immediately
- Call 9-1-1
- Do not re-enter
For more information:
healthycanadians@indoorAir
air@hc-sc.gc.ca
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