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Ask Barbara
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Need advice on home safety? Ask our president
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Q:
Help, Barbara, I Need Pantry Moth Traps!
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|  | Focus on your home and safety. Take time to take the following safety quiz:
Q: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CAUSES
OF CHILDHOOD EAR INFECTIONS?
True or False?
To know answer
click here.. |
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| Safe Home Products Safety Quiz #2 on Carbon Monoxide: | |
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Carbon Monoxide
(For Those With or Without CO Detectors)
A Safer Life Starts Here!
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True or False ?
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A
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Sensors of an AC or battery powered carbon monoxide (CO) detector operate properly if the "test" button sounds an alarm in monthly testing.
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B
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Sensors of electronic CO detectors are equally accurate and reliable in response to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and natural or propane gas.
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C
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Chemical spot CO detectors are less expensive and more accurate than electronic detectors.
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D
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CO poisoning is rare and never fatal.
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| Answer: All statements are false | |
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A
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False.
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Sensors in CO detectors manufactured prior to 1998 can be tested only with a professional
test kit. Pushing the "test" button of a CO detector indicates an operational alarm mechanism.
And a lighted LED display means the LED is drawing power. Sensor life is 2 to 5 years according
to the Mayo Foundation. Either the sensor or the entire unit then needs replacement. Units sold
by Safe Home Products, Inc. self-test every few minutes and sound an intermittent alarm if a sensor
malfunctions.
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B
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False.
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Sensors in CO detectors manufactured after October 1, 1998 comply with a higher standard,
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2034 updated in October 1997 and are less prone to contamination and
to effects of temperature and humidity.
CO detectors respond only to carbon monoxide, produced by incomplete BURNING of fossil fuels. To monitor natural gas and propane gas LEAKS, install a
combustible gas monitor or a combination carbon monoxide combustible fuel monitor.
Earlier CO units used bio mimetic and metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors. A bio mimetic sensor
module sounds an alarm if a light beam passing through a bio mimetic spot in the module hits a darkened
spot. Bio mimetic sensors (First Alert, BK Brands produced prior to October 1, 1998) exhibited cross
sensitivity to gases and vapors other than CO. So, false alarms often were an issue because smoke, contamination
or even insects affects the light beam. The MOS sensor used in American Sensor and Nighthawk units prior
to 1998 sometimes fails to alarm even at threatening levels of 1000 parts per million of more (false negatives).
UL- 2034 requires CO alarms to sound only at life threatening or serious health threatening levels of
concentration and perform well over a wider range of humidity conditions. 1998 and newer units measure both
high CO concentrations over short periods of time and low CO concentrations over long periods of time.
(CO effects are cumulative over time.)
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C
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False.
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Many single use chemical spot, passive detectors cost US$7 to US$15 and
have a 30-day useful life. The Quantum Eye (estimated 18 month effective life) uses
shielding for pollutants (ammonia, aromatic solvents, etc.) that contaminate the chemical spot.
and other chemicals. and averages an 18 month effective life. The Quantum Eye, unlike other spot detectors,
shows three colors, blue for danger, green for alert, and yellow for normal.
The color change between short exposure to a high concentration of CO and a long exposure to a low
concentration is the same. Rather than a chemical spot, a CO alarm such as the COSTAR P-1, a compact
personal sized CO alarm with a belt or visor clip is a
better choice for vehicles and camping. And a permanently mounted battery, plug-in, or hardwired
unit is best for home and other buildings. Prices of CO Alarms that meet the newest standards vary from
about $35 to $80 and have useful lives of 3 to 6 years.
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D
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False.
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According to Mayo Clinic Health Oasis, CO poisoning each year in the United States affects about 10,000 people.
Death from CO poisoning occurs in 800 to 1000 persons. Remember permanent brain damage is possible from CO poisoning.
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or propane,
charcoal, wood, and gasoline. CO has no color, taste, or odor. Any fuel-burning appliance in a home is a potential CO source.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is like a form of suffocation. When CO is inhaled, the CO combines with the hemoglobin in your blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).
The CO displaces the oxygen normally attached to the hemoglobin. The COHb bond is over 200 times stronger the oxygen's bond with hemoglobin. The
strong COHb bond makes it difficult for the body to eliminate CO buildups from the bloodstream. Carbon monoxide can poison slowly over a period of
several hours, even in low concentrations. Sensitive organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs suffer most from the lack of oxygen. Unfortunately,
the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are easily mistaken for other common illnesses and CO poisoning is often misdiagnosed as flu or the common cold.
Low levels of CO slowly starve body tissues and organs of oxygen. Symptoms occurring at COHb concentrations of 30-50% are like the flu without a fever: dizziness,
fatigue, headaches, nausea, confusion, and irregular breathing. Effects are cumulative. COHb levels over 50% can cause unconsciousness, collapse, convulsions, coma,
and death. Unborn babies, infants, young children, senior citizens, smokers and people with anemia or heart disease are especially at risk from CO poisoning.
Consider possible CO poisoning if:
- Everyone in the same building including pets has similar problems.
- You feel better when you leave the building for a day or longer and
feel worse after you return.
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High concentrations of carbon monoxide can kill in less than five minutes. Lower concentrations require a longer period of time to effect the body.
Exceeding the EPA concentration of 9 PPM for more than 8 hours may have adverse health effects. The US Occupational Health and Safety limit for healthy workers is 50 PPM.
Carbon monoxide detectors, which are designed to protect against high concentrations of CO are required to sound an alarm when concentrations are greater then 100 PPM.
Continued exposure to carbon monoxide can cause permanent brain, nerve, or heart damage. Some people require years to recover while others may never recover.
The time of exposure, the concentration of CO, the activity level of the person breathing the CO, and the person's age, sex, and general health all effect the danger level.
Exposure to CO at a concentration of 400 PPM will cause headaches in 1 to 2 hours; in 3 to 5 hours the same concentration can lead to unconsciousness and death. Physical exertion,
with an accompanying increase in respiration rate can shorten the time to reach critical exposure to 1 - 2 1/2 hours. Respiratory capacity decreases and the risk of heart
attach increases with long exposure to CO levels of 50 PPM.
For comparison, undiluted cigarette smoke contains about 30,000 PPM of CO, undiluted warm car exhaust about 7,000 PPM, and the chimney of a home wood fire about 5,000 PPM. Clean
countryside air contains about 0.02 PPM of CO. The smoke from one pack of cigarettes, if distributed uniformly throughout an average sized house, could result in a CO concentration
of up to 14 PPM. A locality is legally defined by the EPA as being out of compliance with clean air standards if the average CO concentration over any one hour period during an
entire year exceeds 35 PPM or if it exceeds 9 PPM over an eight-hour average.
The following tables are used by the National Fire Protection Association.
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| Effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) | |
CO Concentration in
parts per million
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Symptoms
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100
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Threshold limit value for no adverse effects even with 6-8 hours exposure
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200
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Possible mild headache after 2-3 hours
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400
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Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours
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800
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Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and possible unconsciousness after 2 hours
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1,000
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Loss of consciousness after 1 hour
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1,600
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Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes
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3,200
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Headache and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; unconsciousness after 30 minutes
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6,400
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Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes
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12,800
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Immediate physiological affects; unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes.
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Source: James H. Meidl, Explosive and Toxic Hazardous Materials , Glencoe Press, 1970, Table 28, p. 293
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* Just how sick people get from CO exposure varies greatly from person to person, depending on age, overall health,
concentration of exposure, and length of exposure.
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| Effects of Carboxy-hemoglobin (COHb) Saturation | |
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COHb Saturation (%)
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Symptoms
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0-10
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None
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10-20
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Tension in forehead, dilation of skin vessels
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20-30
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Headache and pulsating temples
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30-40
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Severe headache, weariness, dizziness, weakened sight, nausea, vomiting, prostration
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40-50
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Same as above, plus increased breathing and pulse rates, and asphyxiation
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50-60
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Same as above, plus coma, convulsions, Cheyne-Stokes respiration
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60-70
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Coma, convulsions, weak respiration and pulse; death is possible
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70-80
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Slowing and stopping of breathing; death within hours
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80-90
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Death in less than one hour
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90-100
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Death within a few minutes
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Source: Gordon E. Hartzell, Ed., Advances in Combustion Toxicology, Volume One, Technomic Publishing, Inc., 1989, p. 23.
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| TESTS FOR CO and TREATMENT FOR CO POISONING | |
Before exposure, CO detectors can be installed to monitor CO levels. CO levels below 30 PPM
(parts per million) are commonly regarded as permissible. A CO level of 200 PPM is considered
the maximum for acute exposure. A 2 hour exposure to CO levels of 800 PPM is considered lethal.
If your CO alarms sounds an alert, leave the area immediately. Call for professional help before
you experience symptoms.
If you believe you have been exposed to CO, a simple blood test detects CO poisoning. Treatment
may involve supplemental oxygen to help speed removal of CO from your blood. Hyperbaric chambers
are often used. Hyperbaric chambers are used to treat CO poisoning as well as for diver's "bends"
and other medical problems. Patients undergoing hyperbaric treatment are placed in a chamber where
100% oxygen is circulated. The oxygen is pressurized so that air pressure may be 2-3 times greater
than normal. This allows the lungs and skin to absorb more concentrated oxygen in a shorter period
of time. Hyperbaric oxygen accelerates the clearance of CO from the body, restoring oxygen delivery
and preventing toxic effects on the central nervous system and blood vessels. Most people recover
completely if treatment is started soon enough. Severe poisoning can cause brain damage and permanent
memory loss. The half-life of CoHb in fresh air is approximately 4 hours. It can take 12-24 hours to
completely flush the COHb from your system. Seek treatment as soon as you suspect CO poisoning.
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| WHICH ALARM WILL PROTECT YOU THE BEST? | |
Safe Home Products sells a selection of the best CO detectors and alarms available.
Passive spot monitors, 9 Volt self-contained, 12 VDC external battery powered, 120VAC, and CO safety
shutoffs for gas appliances are sold in the CO Detector Store.
Safe Home Products' purpose with this quiz is to educate, not to use scare tactics to sell CO alarms and detectors.
We provide as much information as possible so you can choose the best unit to protect your family.
Whether you already have one or more CO detector(s), purchase from us, or purchase from someone else, we ask that you review the data presented on this page, assess your needs, and make
the best choice to protect yourself and your family. Above all make sure any existing CO detectors you have are operational. Nothing is more tragic than thinking you are protected when you are not.
WHAT YOUR CO ALARM CAN AND CANNOT DO
- CO alarms MAY NOT sense CO if installed on a different level of a residence or building.
- CO alarms MAY NOT awaken sleeping persons if bedroom doors are closed when the unit is
in a common hallway or if the unit is on a different level of the residence or building.
- CO alarms MAY NOT be heard by persons with hearing problems, by those who have consumed
alcoholic beverages, or taken prescription, non-prescription, or illegal drugs. Devices
are available for the hearing impaired which respond to the 85dB alarm by shaking a bed
or flashing a light.
- CO alarms ARE designed to detect carbon monoxide from ANY source of combustion: CO alarms
are NOT designed to detect fire, smoke, or any other gas.
ROOMS WHERE ALARMS SHOULD BE INSTALLED FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY
- Install a CO alarm inside each bedroom where the occupant closes the door while sleeping.
A closed door can block particulate smoke but CO fumes are likely to get through.
- Install a CO alarm in each room where there is a source of combustion such
as locations of fireplaces, gas appliances, etc.
- Install a CO alarm in the garage and at the top of each staircase.
ROOMS WHERE ALARMS SHOULD BE INSTALLED FOR MINIMUM SECURITY
- Install a CO alarm in the hallway outside the bedrooms.
- Install a CO alarm in the garage, at the top of each staircase, and near the
gas, oil, or wood furnace.
MOUNTING LOCATIONS FOR ALARMS IN HOMES: CEILINGS AND WALLS
- CEILINGS: Mount alarm as close as possible to the center of a hallway or room.
If this is not possible, the edge of the alarm should be at least 4 inches from any way.
- WALLS: Locate the top of the alarm at least 3 feet from the floor.
- At least 10 feet from bathrooms.
MOUNTING LOCATIONS TO AVOID
- Within 5 feet of any cooling appliance or furnace.
- Near an open window or door as fresh air entering the opening
may delay CO from reaching the alarm.
- In damp or very humid areas or next to bathrooms with showers.
- In very cold or very hot environments or in unheated buildings where the
temperatures can go below or exceed the operating range of the alarm. (Check specifications for
operating range for each alarm unit..)
- Not within 12 inches of corners, windows, exterior doors, heating or return air
vents or other drafty areas.
- Not behind furniture or drapes, or in closets or in areas that will block air flow to the alarm.
CONDITIONS WHICH CAN RESULT IN TEMPORARY CO SITUATIONS
- Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel burning appliances caused by outdoor ambient
conditions:
- Wind Direction and/or velocity including high gusts of wind. Heavy air in the vent pipes
(cold/humid air with extended periods between cycles.)
- Exhaust fans causing a negative pressure differential.
- Simultaneously operating several fuel burning appliances that compete for limited
internal air.
- Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water heaters.
- Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe designs which can amplify the above situations.
- Extended operation of unvented fuel burning devices (range, oven, fireplace, etc.)
- Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gasses near the ground.
- Car idling in an open or closed garage area or near a home.
PREVENTATIVE ACTIONS TO TAKE AGAINST CO PROBLEMS
- Inspect furnaces annually. A faulty heat exchanger, improper burner adjustment, a furnace
unable to heat the house or one which runs constantly, etc. put your family at risk.
- Inspect and clean other heating and ventilating sources: Vents and chimneys for blockage
or damage, hot water heaters, kerosene and gas space heaters (vented and unvented)
- Make regular visual inspections of all fuel burning equipment including gas water heaters,
space heaters, gas ranges, gas dryers, and pilot lights. The color of the pilot light flame should
be blue. A yellow flame means the fuel is not burning completely and hazardous levels of CO might
be present.
- Determine why appliances are emitting unusual sounds or smells.
- Never heat with a gas range or oven.
- Never leave a car running in a garage.
- Provide adequate air supply to assure complete combustion.
- Never use an unvented gas or kerosene space heater in a room where a person is sleeping.
- Never burn charcoal indoors or in a garage.
- Plug AC units into outlets that remain "live" all the time. Do not plug into switched outlets.
- Change 9 Volt batteries annually when changing those on your smoke alarms
- Test CO alarms weekly. Know what the signals are for normal and malfunction alarms. Dust the unit off
or use a vacuum cleaner. Alarms that do not work will not alert you to CO gas.
- DEVELOP A FAMILY ESCAPE PLAN AND PRACTICE IT WITH YOUR FAMILY.
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Draw a floor plan of your home and find two ways to exit from each room. There should be
one way to exit each bedroom without opening the door.
- Teach children what the CO alarm signal means and how the must exit the residence by themselves if
necessary.
- Choose a meeting place a safe distance from the house and make sure all children know
where to go and to wait if the alarm goes off.
- Conduct CO safety drills at least every 6 months to remind everyone what to do.
- Know where to go OUTSIDE YOUR RESIDENCE to the fire department.
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