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.
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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• Farmers – due to outdated tractors.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•
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Questions?
Thank you
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