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A. Properties and Characteristics
of Carbon Monoxide
1.. Carbon.monoxide.is.a.colorless,.odorless.and.
tasteless.gas..It.is.commonly.referred.to.as.CO.
2.. Its.weight.is.about.the.same.as.air.so.it.cannot..
be.expected.to.rise.or.fall.like.some.other.gases,..
but.will.distribute.itself.throughout.the.space.
NOTICE
DO NOT rely on the use of smell or sight of
other gases to detect CO, because it diffuses
in the air much more rapidly than easily
detectable vapors (i.e., visible and aromatic
vapors).
B. What Makes Carbon Monoxide
Any.time.a.material.containing.carbon.burns.such..
as.gasoline,.natural.gas,.oil,.propane,.coal,.or.wood,..
CO.is.produced.
Common.sources.of.carbon.monoxide.are:
1.. Internal.combustion.engines.such.as:
a.. Propulsion.engines
.
.b.. Generators
2. Open flame devices such as:
a.. Cooking.ranges
b.. Central.heating.plants
c.. Space.heaters
d.. Water.heaters
e.. Fireplaces
f.. Charcoal.grills
C. How a Person is Affected by Carbon Monoxide
Carbon.monoxide.is.absorbed.by.the.lungs.and.reacts.
with.blood.hemoglobin.to.form.carboxy-hemoglobin,.
which.reduces.the.oxygen.carrying.capacity.of.the.
blood..The.result.is.a.lack.of.oxygen.for.the.tissues.
with.the.subsequent.tissue.death.and,.if exposure is
prolonged, death of the individual.
D. Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon.monoxide.in.high.concentrations.can.be.fatal.
in.a.matter.of.minutes..Lower.concentrations.must.not.
be.ignored.because.the.effects.of.exposure.to.CO.are.
cumulative.and.can.be.just.as.lethal.
Boating Safety - Section B
Certain.health.related.problems.and.age.will.increase.
the.effects.of.CO..People.who.smoke.or.are.exposed.
to.high.concentrations.of.cigarette.smoke,.consume.
alcohol.or.have.lung.disorders.or.heart.problems,.are.
particularly.susceptible.to.an.increase.in.the.effects.
from.CO..However,.all.occupants'.health.should.be.
considered..Physical.exertion.accelerates.the.rate.at.
which.the.blood.absorbs.CO.
E. Symptoms
One.or.more.of.the.following.symptoms.can.signal..
the.adverse.effect.of.CO.accumulation:
. 1..Watering.and.itchy.eyes
. 2..Flushed.appearance
. 3..Throbbing.temples
. 4..Inattentiveness
. 5..Inability.to.think.coherently
. 6..Loss.of.physical.coordination
. 7..Ringing.in.the.ears
. 8..Tightness.across.the.chest
. 9..Headache
. 1 0..Drowsiness
. 1 1..Incoherence
. 1 2..Slurred.speech
. 1 3..Nausea
. 1 4..Dizziness
. 1 5..Fatigue
. 1 6..Vomiting
. 1 7..Collapse
. 1 8..Convulsions
NOTICE
The order of the above list is generally
the sequence of appearance of symptoms.
However, the order of appearance may
change for different people.
NOTICE
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poison-
ing may easily be mistaken for seasickness or
alcohol intake.
F. Treatment (Evaluate, Ventilate, Evacuate,
Investigate, Take Corrective Action)
1... Evaluate.the.situation.and.ventilate.the.area.if..
possible.
2... Evacuate.the.area.and.move.affected.person(s)..
to.a.fresh.air.environment.
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