It is very difficult for people to detect carbon monoxide. This is because the gas has neither smell nor taste and it is completely colorless. In other words, carbon monoxide in your home could be all around you, and you could be breathing it in without even knowing you’re doing it.
This is why carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the silent killer. So where does carbon monoxide come from? Basically, whenever a fuel isn’t burned all the way through, carbon monoxide is released. Most of the fuels that do this are found in our homes, such as oil, gas, wood and coal. Basically, if you have a fire in an enclosed space, oxygen is slowly replaced with carbon dioxide. However, fuel is then not able to fully burn, creating carbon monoxide in your home instead. Once you breathe it in, the gas enters your bloodstream. Here, it will mix with your hemoglobin. The hemoglobin is the part of the red blood cell responsible for carrying oxygen all through your body. When it reaches the hemoglobin, it creates carboxyhemoglobin. At this point, the blood cannot carry oxygen anymore. As a result, the cells in and tissues of the body start to die.
What Causes Leaks of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home?
Knowing causes is always very important. The main causes of carbon monoxide in your home are related to the poor installation or maintenance of appliances in the home, as well as poor ventilation. The usual culprits include heaters and cookers, as well as the boilers used for central heating. Another common cause for carbon monoxide in your home is if your chimneys or flues have been blocked, thereby stopping the gas from escaping. When it cannot escape, the quantity of the gas starts to build up, until it reaches dangerous levels. Read More Here…