“A child miseducated is a child lost.” John F. Kennedy (1917-1963, bio link)
When a person inhales carbon monoxide it displaces oxygen. Each hemoglobin molecule has four binding sites for oxygen. Carbon monoxide is over 200 times more aggressive than oxygen and it re-circulates; it does not unload easily. Carbon monoxide molecules attach to these binding sites.
This displacement of oxygen in blood begins a process that generates a free radical or a disassociated molecule reaction. At lower poisonous levels the symptoms might be slower reaction time, weak muscular movement & dexterity, hampered visual focus, headache or nausea and may be immediate symptoms or poisonous enough to cause heart stresses in compensation for the loss of oxygen. CO poisoning has the potential of harming your central nervous system because of the disruption of oxygen delivery. The immediate health effects are compounded by the overall state of health of the victim.
At low concentrations CO can contribute to existing cardio and respiratory illnesses. It can compound pre-existing health conditions and can go undetected as a contributing or direct cause of premature deaths.
Though the symptoms of CO poisoning are known by the medical community, testing patients with these symptoms for CO percent in blood (carboxyhemoglobin percent) is uncommon by our medical practitioners except in some knowledgeable hospital emergency room situations. The medical community, by their own admission has not been sufficiently trained in recognizing low level carbon monoxide poisoning despite the presentation of symptoms. We can only hope they will become educated and begin testing patients who do present these common and known symptoms they see daily. What is the value in not testing? Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.
· Carbon Monoxide Survivor A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.
· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.
National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia
Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.
The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
