From the fall and during the winter it grows the number of people poisoned and/or killed by inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. The majority of deaths occur because the affected persons and/or cohabitants They were unaware of the preventive measures when heating the homeor why They underestimated the action of this gas, which can be lethal..
The maintenance and correct use of heating methods makes the difference between life and death.
He CO is a very dangerous highly toxic gas for people and animals, it is colorless, odorless and tasteless; That’s why it is usually called ‘silent murderer’ given that does not irritate the nose or eyes, but it can cause severe poisoning and even death with a few minutes of exposure, without the affected person realizing what is happening.
In this note we are going to tell you why inhaling this gas can lead to silent death, and how to control and correctly use certain heating methods.
Where does dangerous carbon monoxide gas come from?
exist natural and human sources of CO; The main anthropogenic source is the emission from gas pipes. automobile exhaustin addition to Appliances that work improperly with gas, wood, etc..; while some natural sources are volcanoes and forest fires (ATSDR, 2012).
This gas inside the home is the product of the incomplete combustion of any material that contains carbon such as: coal, gas, kerosene, gasoline, oil, wood, plastics, etc.
We must pay special attention when we use: stoves, salamanders, braziers, kitchens, charcoal or wood grills, heaters, gas or wood ovens, stoves, boilers, hot water tanks, water heaters, electric generator motors, vehicles, etc.; andthese devices produce CO when fuel is burned incompletely during operation.
If he heated environment is closed, preventing air renewal, the concentration of CO inside increasesat the same time that the presence of oxygen is increasingly deficient.
The mechanism of CO poisoning
The CO poisoning is the most common cause of poisoning injuries and deaths worldwide (Buchelli et al. 2014).and is found domestically in sources of exposure such as: burning natural gas and other fuels.
When you combine the incomplete combustion within a closed environment without a correct exchange of air with the outside, The living beings that are within that environment run serious danger. will begin to enter CO into the body through the lungsand from there it will pass into the blood, taking the place of oxygen.
This reduces the O2 carrying capacity of the blood and makes the cells unable to use it. The Lack of oxygen mainly affects the brain and heart. Is generated a disruption in the transport of oxygen and precipitates the inflammatory cascade (Bolaños Morera at al. 2017).
It also produces peroxidation of brain lipids, giving loss of consciousness. The alteration of myoglobin produces disorders of cellular metabolism and rhabdomyolysisin addition to tissue hypoxia due to alteration of cellular metabolism according to (Fleta et al. 2005), (Oliu et al. 2010) and (Clardy et al. 2015).
He CO has an affinity for blood hemoglobin up to 300 times greater than oxygen.forming carboxyhemoglobin and interfering with the oxygen transport mechanismnecessary to maintain cellular metabolism.
To avoid this entire lethal cycle, it is necessary to know the care recommendations, and in the worst case, if there are already symptoms of poisoning, be able to quickly detect what they are and act immediately.
Pay attention to the symptoms of CO poisoning
If people in closed and heated environments suddenly feel: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness, chest pain, nausea or palpitations, to more serious symptoms such as: vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, cardiac arrestyou should suspect CO poisoning and see a doctor urgently.
These are information, advice and toxicological assistance centers, with FREE telephone lines and 24-hour attention: 0800-333-0160 Hospital Posadas El Palomar, Morón; 0800–444–TOXI (8694) R. Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, CABA; 0800-222-9911 Sor María Ludovica Hospital, La Plata.
Many CO poisonings They are confused with food poisoning, flu or strokes. In young children it can simulate a meningeal condition due to irritability, continuous crying and refusal of food, say health professionals.
Preventive measures to avoid inhalation and poisoning with CO
The first step that you should do absolutely every year in your home when the season to light the stoves begins is: check the installations with a licensed gas fitter at least once a year. You must keep in mind that the appearance of soot stains or discoloration of or around artifacts is a sign that should catch your attention and be reviewed by a specialist.
Always keep the window to the outside open a few centimeters in the heated environment.
This The use of any appliance other than balanced draft is prohibited in bedrooms and bathrooms.. Never sleep with stoves on, except balanced draft ones.
If you use a brazier to heat your home You must first light it outdoors, and then bring it into your home when you see that there is no longer any smoke release.
If the color of the flame of the stove or burner is yellow or orange do not use itis an indication of poor combustion and the presence of CO in the environment.
Do not use the oven or stove to heatit is preferable that you dress warmer.
Never sleep with open flames of any kindyou should always remove them from the environment and turn them off outside the house before going to sleep.
He heater or hot water tank should not be installed in the bathroom, nor in poorly ventilated spaces. Do not start combustion engines (generator sets, vehicles, etc.) in basements or closed garages.
A life-saving tool is CO detector with alarm ready to install in your home environments. In a future note we will delve into this topic so that you know how these sensors work and which one is best for you to install according to your case.
