The Concept of Oxidation Simplified

Carbon monoxide (chemical Carbon Monoxide formula is CO) is an odourless, colourless, tasteless, flammable gas. It is the simplest molecule of the oxocarbon family. In the coordination complexes, the carbon monoxide ligand is known as carbonyl. Carbon monoxide is formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. 

Carbon monoxide can be deadly at high levels. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can result.

Carbon monoxide is often seen as a major hazard in many industrial operations. The threshold limit value of CO for the general workforce is 25 ppm. 

It also has a very low boiling point (–192.5°C). Carbon monoxide is toxic when inhaled because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. High concentrations can be quickly fatal

CO is particularly dangerous for people with coronary artery disease because it reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Carbon Monoxide Concentrations

CO concentrations in the air are compared with outdoor CO concentrations. They should be similar, but there can be some increase if a fuel-burning appliance is not operating efficiently or there is a malfunction at the flue pipe, vent, or chimney. Outdoor CO levels range from 0.03-2.5 ppm in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, and can increase to 2-5 ppm on smoky days. Levels higher than 5 ppm are considered unhealthy for everyone. It is toxic to both humans and animals. 

The air in your home should contain about the same amount of carbon monoxide as outside of your home (mid-range CO concentration outdoors is 0.03~2.5ppm). Higher concentrations of carbon monoxide indoors than outdoors suggest a CO source either inside or very close to your home. High levels of carbon monoxide are dangerous and can be detrimental to human health.

Carbon Monoxide Sources

Carbon monoxide was discovered independently in 1776 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele of Sweden and Joseph Priestley of Great Britain (1733–1804). It is slightly less dense than air. He first prepared carbon monoxide by heating mercury (II) oxide and charcoal in a closed vessel. The product, however, was almost immediately absorbed by potash, which he had recently discovered had a great affinity for many gases.

CO is produced whenever a material burns. The Common sources of CO are listed below:

• clothes dryers
• water heaters
• furnaces or boilers
• fireplaces (both gas and wood burning)
• gas stoves and ovens
• motor vehicles
• grills
• generators
• power tools 
• lawn equipment
• wood stoves 
• tobacco smoke.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion. This means that any time we burn something, the gas is created. Cars, stoves, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, and furnaces will create CO when they are operating properly. Since Carbon monoxide has no odour, colour, or taste, it cannot be detected by our senses. This means that dangerous concentrations of the gas can build up indoors, and humans have no way to detect the problem until they become ill.

It is toxic to animals when encountered in concentrations above about 35 ppm, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities and is thought to have some normal biological functions. 

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, remove yourself from the indoors and get fresh air.

What Causes Carbon Poisoning?

It is mainly caused by improper Ventilation, and also, humans can’t sense the gas since it is odourless. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 200 people die every year from accidental CO poisoning caused by faulty, improperly-used, or poorly-ventilated fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters, and room heaters.

If a fossil fuel appliance is not properly installed and maintained, it may produce dangerous amounts of CO. Because carbon monoxide can cause serious illness or death, exposure to the gas should be taken seriously.

Any appliance that burns fuel can cause a carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide fumes can cause people to die very quickly, especially if they are asleep.

Conclusion

Carbon monoxide is present in indoor and outdoor air; it’s found naturally in the environment. Carbon monoxide varies across the country, depending on when it was measured and where it was measured. Levels tend to be higher in winter than summer because people burn more fuel in the winter. 

Also, carbon monoxide levels tend to be higher in cities than in rural areas because of the density of cars and trucks that emit carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide levels are also higher at traffic signals and other busy intersections—anywhere there is a high concentration of vehicles holding still while they idle.