Carbon monoxide poisoning risk rises as temperatures fall

COLUMBUS - Odorless, colorless and more stealthy than any predator, carbon monoxide gas can kill a person in a matter of minutes, without ever making itself known.

As winter forces people indoors, with the furnaces cranked up and cars warming up in the garage, many people are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Most people have no idea they're exposed," said Dr. Alex Kazos, Columbus Community Hospital emergency room physician.

"Sometimes people think they can smell it because their car is running or a machine is running, but that's the mechanical fumes," he said.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, as it is written in a chemical equation, essentially causes death by lack of oxygen. Kazos said the molecules are better able to bind to oxygen-carrying molecules in the blood. "Once it grabs on to those molecules the blood product won't let go of the carbon monoxide, and the oxygen can't displace it, so that molecule can't grab any oxygen," Kazos said.

Its incredible binding ability also makes carbon monoxide poisoning hard to treat, so even when patients are given high amounts of oxygen, it's tough to shake the intruder loose.

Carbon monoxide exposure is sometimes hard to recognize. A person may have vague, flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, nausea and tiredness, and a lack of concentration, dizziness and vomiting could also be a tip-off.

"The difficulty with carbon monoxide exposure is that cascade of symptoms can come on so quickly that you don't have time to pay attention to the symptoms," Kazos said.

Those who pay attention to the symptoms and seek immediate treatment are still at risk. Three to five minutes of oxygen depravation can affect brain function down the road, and can cause headaches and mental problems over an extended period of time, Kazos said.

Smokers are especially at risk. While the body's base level of CO should be zero, those who light up regularly can have a base level of two to five.

"When you start getting above 10 you can have significant symptoms that can lead to nerve or brain injury. Fifteen to 20 is enough to kill you," Kazos said.

Columbus Fire Lt. Terry Pfeifer said the department responded to seven cases of potential carbon monoxide leaks in 2004, and all but one were the results of a faulty CO detector or low battery. However, as recently as Jan. 3, a Columbus resident was taken to the hospital for CO exposure as the result of a faulty furnace.

"(The person) was experiencing some abnormal fatigue," Pfeifer said.

The furnace was fixed and the members of the fire department rechecked the home to ensure it was safe.

Pfeifer said the threat comes from faulty gas furnaces, gas heaters used without proper ventilation, or cars or barbecue grills used inside an unventilated garage. Children and smaller animals are more susceptible and will be the first to exhibit symptoms.

Carbon monoxide detectors are useful in warning residents when the gas is present.

"Make sure if you do purchase a detector, save the literature so if we have to come investigate, we know how the detector operates," Pfeifer said.