Mansfield Fire Department

CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) Fact Sheet

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a very toxic gas that is also odorless, colorless and tasteless.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A victim may not experience ANY of the following symptoms, or only one or a few of these symptoms:

Headaches	Irritability
Dizziness	Weakness
Visual Disturbances	Nausea
Vomiting	Fainting upon exertion
Loss of muscle control	Tightening of the chest
Sleepiness	Fluttering of the heart
Confusion	Cherry red skin (in severe cases)

Prolonged exposure can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage or death.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning detected?

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often confused with those of influenza and the highest incidence of poisoning occurs at the onset of cold weather – or during flu season. For these reasons, the best way to detect it is with a blood test.

How can carbon monoxide be produced in a home?

High levels of carbon monoxide can be produced by:

Malfunctioning heating systems
Blocked chimneys or heating/water heating vent pipes
Lack of adequate heating equipment ventilation
Indoor use of barbecue grill.
Use of cooking appliances for heating purposes
Sitting inside a motionless vehicle for a prolonged period of time with the motor running.
Repairing engines (or lawn mowers, snow blowers, vehicles, etc) without proper ventilation.

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