Fact
CO is actually colorless, tasteless, AND odorless. Because it cannot be noticed without a detector or meter, CO has earned the dubious name of “silent killer.” When folks call and say they can “smell carbon monoxide,” they are usually referring to other combustion byproducts that the human nose can detect. If you can smell combustion byproducts there is a problem that should be addressed ASAP.
Myth
Carbon monoxide is heavier than air, so CO detectors should not be placed on the ceiling or high on the wall.
Fact
CO is slightly lighter than air. However, studies have shown no significant difference in measurements based on what height CO detectors are mounted. Different manufacturers recommend different mounting locations, and you should always follow the manufacturers’ recommendation.
CO has a molar mass of 28.0, and air has an average molar mass of 28.8. The difference is so slight that CO is found to evenly distribute itself indoors. It is worth mentioning that CO indoors is usually generated from incomplete combustion (heat source) and therefore traveling in a warm air stream. Warm air is more buoyant and does rise. Coupling this fact with the knowledge that CO is lighter than air… I personally have my CO detector located on the ceilings.
Myth
Carbon monoxide is not dangerous.
Fact
CO poisoning is the most common type of fatal indoor air poisoning in countries where cooking and heating is still dominated by fires. More than 500 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms of mildly acute CO poisoning include lightheadedness, nausea headaches, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. Acute CO poisoning leads to sleep and the failure of the central nervous system and heart – leading eventually to death during sleep. The following chart from Wiki summarizes known human symptoms associated with different levels of CO exposure. If we detect ANY CO indoors, we consider it an immediate action.
Myth
Carbon monoxide poisoning is like any other kind of poisoning.
Fact
CO bonds to hemoglobin (Hb), and instead of carrying oxygen (O2) the hemoglobin is then occupied with CO – creating carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO). CO poisoning is actually the result of the head and heart not receiving sufficient oxygen… or asphyxiation.
If a person is removed from a high-CO environment after acute CO poisoning they may still suffer difficulty with some mental functioning such as short-term memory, dementia, amnesia, irratibility, an unusual walking gait, speech impairments, and depression. I’ve spoken with people that said it’s taken them months to fully recover their mental functioning after an acute exposure event to carbon monoxide.
