Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. Known as "the silent killer," CO is a product of incomplete combustion of fuel that can be leaked into the interiors of buildings or accumulate in poorly ventilated places. While most appliances are safe when used correctly, malfunctioning or improperly vented furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, portable generators and fuel-burning space heaters can become very harmful if not fatal. Other sources of carbon monoxide poisoning can include exposure to exhaust fumes from motor vehicles or boats, inhalation of methylene chloride vapors, improper use of outdoor grills, or smoke inhalation during fires.
Our vulnerability to carbon monoxide poisoning comes from its ability to bind more quickly than oxygen to our blood. Therefore, it is particularly harmful to the brain, heart and vital organs which require the most oxygen. Heavy concentrations of CO can cause brain damage, heart trauma, coma and death. However, serious and prolonged injury can still occur from exposure to lower levels of CO with symptoms that include:
- chest pain
- dull headache
- fatigue
- dizziness and/or nausea
- cognitive problems
- moodiness
If caught in time, the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be reversed. Nonetheless, it is often overlooked because so many of its symptoms mimic those of other medical disorders, including the common flu. As a result, the consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning can become permanent.
Brain SPECT imaging research has identified specific patterns in the brain associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. A bibliography of these studies is available to our legal clients through our Medical Research Library.
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