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Carbon Monoxide

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Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide

Man installing carbon monoxide detector in his house

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that comes from burning things like kerosene, coal, or wood. It is a poison.

Breathing air containing only a very small amount of carbon monoxide can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood.

What happens if a person breathes carbon monoxide?

  • symptoms like the flu or a cold
  • blurred vision
  • stomach aches
  • trouble breathing
  • sleepiness
  • ringing in the ears

Carbon monoxide can come from

  • broken gas water heaters and furnaces
  • space heaters that don’t have vents
  • gas clothes dryers
  • tobacco smoke
  • fuels burned in wood and gas stoves

Carbon monoxide detectors help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.

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For parents
Protecting children's health is a vital public health goal. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of environmental contaminants. For more information, see Children's Health.
For parents
Smoking can have lasting health effects on a person. Scientists are studying the effects of different cigarettes. They compare the effects of electronic cigarettes to regular cigarettes. These cigarettes may have different effects on the human body. Learn more about the E-Cigs and Smoking Study.
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