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Home Safety 101 - Symptoms of CO poisoning


The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has several facts on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that we would like to pass on.
Carbon monoxide enters the body through breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness or headaches. High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, causing death within minutes. The concentration of carbon monoxide, measured in parts per million (ppm) is a determining factor in the symptoms for an average, healthy adult.

  • 50 ppm: No adverse effects with 8 hours of exposure.

  • 200 ppm: Mild headache after 2-3 hours of exposure.

  • 400 ppm: Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours of exposure.

  • 800 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 1 hour of exposure.

  • 1,000 ppm: Loss of consciousness after 1 hour of exposure.

  • 1,600 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes of exposure.

  • 3,200 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; collapse and unconsciousness after 30 minutes of exposure.

  • 6,400 ppm: Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of death after 10-15 minutes of exposure.

  • 12,800 ppm: Immediate physiological effects, unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes of exposure.

I hope that this information will help keep your family and home safe. I once again thank the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for their commitment to educating everyone on Carbon Monoxide and its dangers. If you know someone that could benefit from this information please forward it on. Check out my Val Cares Page on my website for more Safety Tips.

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