Carbon Monoxide

Presenter:Rida Khan

CARBON MONOXIDE [CO]

• Air polluter

• Colourless, unscented, bland and highly toxic gas.

• Weighs less than air.

• Released through combustion procedures.

2

SOURCES

• Natural: volcanoes, coal mines, marshes and forest fires.

• Power: industries, steel plants, foundries, chemicals and oil

refineries.

• Human: fossil fuel combustion – gasoline, diesel, kerosene, natural

gas, wood, coal and charcoal.

• Blocked, broken or leaking chimneys enable entrance of CO.

• Vehicles, stoves, heaters, tobacco, generators and fire places.

3

EXPOSURE

• Industrial workers – due to combustion processes.

• Household occupants – due to operation of heaters, vehicles,

generators and cooking ranges.

• Farmers – due to outdated tractors.

• Animals and birds – due to CO concentrations in the atmosphere.

4

IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH

• Nausea• Vomit• Head ache• Dizziness• Fatigue• Weakness• Seizures• Depression• Confusion• Nervous system damage

•

• Disorientation• Aching muscles• Sleepiness• Impaired reasoning• Paralysis• Coma• Death• Low birth weight• Foetal mortality•

5

EXAMPLES

• Logen Square Building, Chicago: 7 people were hospitalized due to

CO poisoning.

• Boston: Teenager died from CO poisoning. A man in twenties died

in his car due to snow-buildup in tailpipe which causes CO to

accumulate. 2 children hospitalized. Other of ages 5 and 8 were

rushed into emergency due to CO poisoning.

6

Continued...

• Cornwall, UK: Elderly couple and daughter died as a result of CO

poisoning at a caravan site in Tremark Park.

• Long Island, New York: Michelle Bracco died after using generator

owing to a power failure following Superstorm Sandy.

• Newark, New Jersey: 2 teenagers died owing to exposure to CO

from a generator.

• Pennsylvania: 4 people died from generator fumes.

7

Environmental implications

• CO increases methane concentration which oxidizes in carbon

dioxide

• Increases greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

• Interaction with Ultra-violet radiation produces ozone and smog

which devastate infrastructure and crops.

• Puts wildlife at risk

• In humans, it reduces supply of oxygen to tissues, organs and

central nervous system.8

EXAMPLES

• BBC: world average of CO is 4000 kg per person per year

• In UK alone, it amounts to 10,000 kg per person per year.

• In 2006, Qatar was ranked at the top for releasing the highest

amount of CO – 56.2 tonnes per capita.

• UAE stood second at 32.8 tonnes per capita and U.S.A ranked third

at 19.0 tonnes per capita.

9

RISK MANAGEMENT

• Inspect and preserve fuel-burning appliances. Have them checked

regularly by a professional for signs of rust or damage.

• Thoroughly go through instructor manuals to ensure correct

operation of appliances.

• Avoid using outdoor appliances, such as BBQ grills, inside homes. CO

may become concentrated.

10

Continued...

• Use CO detectors. They detect long- and short-term CO

concentrations. They should be installed in homes.

• Install exhaust fans to vent gas from heaters and stoves.

• Do not leave the car inside the garage for long periods.

11

Overview

• CO definition

• Sources of CO

• Who is exposed

• Impacts on human health

• Examples of impacts on human health

• Environmental implications

• Examples of effects on environment

• Risk Management12

REFERENCES

1) http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/

2) http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/02/09/carbon-monoxide-incidents-claim-second-victim-ho

spitalize-two-more-children/

3) http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cornwall-carbon-monoxide-caravan-poisoning-172

8837

4)http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_

news/2012/11/08/15025902-sandys-silent-killer-carbon-monoxide-claims-another-victim?l

ite

13

REFERENCES

5)http

://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=carbon+monoxide+environmental+effects&sour

ce=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEAQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fesseacourses.strategies.org

%2Fmodule.php%3Fmodule_id%3D170&ei=A_RSUcrCN6uI7AaYm4Ao&usg=AFQjCNGmGOI

SSLSq30K4XLGkZIzmict5dw

6)http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=carbon+monoxide+environmental+effects&so

urce=web&cd=8&cad=rja&ved=0CGkQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.extraordinaryroadtrip.

org%2Fresearch-library%2Fair-pollution%2Funderstanding-air-pollution%2Fcarbon-monoxide%

2Fhealth.asp&ei=A_RSUcrCN6uI7AaYm4Ao&usg=AFQjCNF5HKdo9aetxBW4Qej5cW2a-ueLog

7)http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/climate_change/carbon_footprints_r

ev1.shtml

14

Questions?

Thank you

15