Carbon Monoxide News July 27, 2013 - posts updated frequently

Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day.
Scroll back in time for archived CO News links.

“We have all been here before.”
"Deja Vu" - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - music link

We have all been poisoned by carbon monoxide and we will be again. Carbon monoxide poisoning begins as soon as it is breathed in at any level. Headache, dizziness, tiredness, even heart rate changes may be caused by low levels of exposure that often go undetected. If you are interested in prevention of CO poisoning effects, or perhaps even discovering a contributing factor to those currently experienced you can begin as soon as you choose to. Measurement of CO is not only educating, it can help your health, maybe save a life.

When we breathe it in, carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen off of the hemoglobin binding sites during the transport of needed oxygen to every cell in our body. It is stronger and over-powers oxygen molecules, holding on to that binding site for hours. The higher the concentration of CO, the more binding sites are occupied. The longer you are in constant low levels, more binding sites become occupied with CO.

If you want to know how much carbon monoxide you are exposed to, it is simple enough. At home, in your car, at work and just about everywhere, you can place a low level, digital, carbon monoxide alarm for less than $250.00 and monitor your readings. There are personal CO monitors worn on belts & shirt pockets with clips that are smaller than today’s smart phones and can inform you of the presence of the gas. You can also get one of these for less than $250.00. Small, hand-held CO test instruments that have alarm functions are also available, many with accessory test probes for pinpoint measurement in combustion gasses.

 All will alarm and let you know the gas is present as low as 10 PPM if  they have that common feature and you want them to. And the great thing about the low level measurement alarms and monitors, you can easily check them with inexpensive check gas to see their digital displays in action and, hear their alarms sound in seconds or less than a minute to low levels under 35 PPM of CO. You'll know the sensor is working, not just the audible sound function. (You can also check the highest test point of protection for U.L. 2034 Listed CO alarms by using gas over 400 PPM. Note that you may have to wait up to 15 minutes for the audible alarm to function as tested.)

We have all been poisoned by carbon monoxide and we will be again. Measure carbon monoxide today, now and forever. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

CO and Air Quality News Links  

China to tackle air pollution with new plan
UPI.com
The Chinese government has announced a 277 billion dollar initiative to tackle air pollution.

Spontaneous combustion ruins wedding reception
ABC4.com Provo Utah
A family of four is safe tonight after fleeing their burning home. The fire started just before 4:30am in Provo at 2803 West 880 North. Fire investigators say it was likely spontaneous combustion that ignited the flames. The homeowners were preparing for a wedding reception in their back yard. So they stained the deck, but put the stain can and the dirty rags in the garage. Add in hot temperatures and that likely caused the fire.

Who is responsible for the air you breathe? Take control inside your homes.

-Link to: →  CO alarm standards –

The lowest U.L. 2034 & CSA 6.19 carbon monoxide alarm test point is:
- 70 PPM to 149 PPM – resist one hour, must alarm before 4 hours

Please read the alarm information on the package and in the instructions. Know when your fire department and emergency responders begin wearing their breathing apparatus and what their civilian evacuation levels are for carbon monoxide; it may be before 70 PPM. It is for pregnant women, infants & children, the elderly and all people of vulnerable health. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
These following links may be of some use to you:
- The World Clock - Time Zones
- Google Maps-
- Earthquake Map

- American Red Cross
- Air Quality Guide for Particle Pollution
- Heart Rescue using an (AED)

- Current Data for Atmospheric CO2
- Federal Aviation Administration CO warning
- Carbon monoxide toxicity-Emergency Medicine Ireland
- Carbon Monoxide Survivor- Views from those who have been poisoned.

- Carbon Monoxide detection -  National Fire Protection Association

Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce
SAINT PAUL, MN – Each year about 50,000 people visit emergency rooms in the United States for CO poisoning, and more than 500 die each year from this silent, odorless, colorless gas. As part of Winter Hazard Awareness Week (November 5-9), the Minnesota Department of Commerce warns Minnesotans of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and to take steps to avoid this “silent killer.”

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning
Carbonmonoxidekills.com
Carbon Monoxide Information Website ... Carbon Monoxide Useful Links · Contact ... Get the Top ten carbon monoxide safety tips sent to your inbox:

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

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-seven 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

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 CO-Experts Model 2014 Brochure
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International

Note this distraction from carbon monoxide poisoning:
Bald Eagle Camera Alcoa Bald Eagle Camera, Davenport, Iowa.
NOTE: Another camera is in operation from a lower angle.

What does this have to do with carbon monoxide safety?
It is just a live web cam, perhaps a distraction from the headlines of death and injury. Please become aware of the air you breathe. Measurement is education. Measure your air accurately when measuring carbon monoxide. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
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