When breathed in, carbon monoxide enters the blood through the lungs and attaches to the body’s oxygen carrier, haemoglobin. How exposure to carbon monoxide can affect your health Such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects. However safe levels of exposure are enforced to protect workers. Workers may be exposed to carbon monoxide (for example those using liquid petroleum gas ( LPG) or petrol powered equipment in enclosed spaces). Very small amounts of carbon monoxide are also produced naturally in the human body, though this is not linked to health problems. Exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can occur outdoors, as it is produced by vehicle exhausts and industrial processes. The use of shisha or hooka pipes may also lead to exposure. Inhaling smoke from a house fire may lead to carbon monoxide exposure.įor smokers, cigarettes are the major source of carbon monoxide. The most important source of exposure to carbon monoxide for the general public is from cooking or other fuel burning appliances which are poorly installed, faulty or used inappropriately (including inadequate ventilation).įor example, home boilers that are installed incorrectly and the use of BBQs and portable generators inside homes, caravans and tents. Exposure to carbon monoxideĬarbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen. Natural sources of carbon monoxide in the air include volcanoes, chemical reactions with light and natural fires. In indoor environments, oil, gas or kerosene heaters and faulty gas appliances produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide.
The iron and steel industries, and industrial fuel burning in general also provide large contributions to carbon monoxide emission.īetween 19 in the UK, total releases of carbon monoxide to the environment have decreased by 79%. Road transport is the major contributor to atmospheric carbon monoxide concentrations, though these releases have decreased by 95% from 1990 to 2019. How carbon monoxide gets into the environment Uses of carbon monoxideĬarbon monoxide is used to manufacture other chemicals, including methanol and phosgene. Most combustion processes (natural or man-made) produce some carbon monoxide. Complete combustion occurs when sufficient oxygen is present and leads to the production of carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, odourless, non-irritating gas produced as a by-product during incomplete combustion of fuels due to there being insufficient oxygen present.
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