Carbon monoxide poisoning sources

Occurrence. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion and is not likely to result where a flame bums in an abundant air supply, yet may result when a flame touches a cooler surface than the ignition temperature of the gas. Gas or coal heaters in the home and gas space heaters in industry have been frequent sources of carbon monoxide poisoning when not provided with effective vents. Gas heaters, though properly adjusted when installed, may become hazardous sources of carbon monoxide if maintained improperly. Automobile exhaust gas is perhaps the most familiar source of carbon monoxide exposure. The manufacture and use of synthesis gas, calcium carbide manufacture, distillation of coal or wood, combustion operations, heat treatment of metals, fire fighting, mining, and cigarette smoking represent additional sources of carbon monoxide exposure (105—107). 

As the above cases demonstrate, carbon monoxide poisoning can arise from quite unexpected sources and can be serious. Indirect poisoning from this source of the gas is probably relatively uncommon, but direct poisoning with carbon monoxide is probably the most common type of accidental poisoning that affects the general population. There are probably several hundred poisonings from carbon monoxide every year in the UK alone, some of which are fatal. Some mild cases may well go undetected as the main symptom is a headache. 

Carbon monoxide is rarely used in the laboratory, and you are more likely to encounter risk from carbon monoxide poisoning at home. Carefully examine all potential sources of carbon monoxide to ensure that you and others are not exposed. Carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive, and, along with smoke detectors, every home that uses any gas or fuel-fired appliance should have one. 

That can be the case with carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, charcoal, or wood. It can be emitted by any improperly installed or poorly maintained combustion source such as unvented kerosene or gas space heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces, or water heaters. 

C.P. Wang, H.S. Chu, 2006. Transient analysis of multicomponent transport with carbon monoxide poisoning effect of a PEM fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources, 159 1025-1033. 

Wang CP, Chu HS, Yan YY et al (2007) Transient evolution of carbon monoxide poisoning effect of PBI membrane fuel cells. J Power Sources 170 235-241... 

Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon and carbon compounds undergo incomplete combustion. The inefficient combustion of carbon fuels for heating results in the production of carbon monoxide, which may result in high CO concentrations in indoor environments. The use of carbon fuel heaters without adequate ventilation can result in deadly conditions. Each year several hundred people in the United States die from CO poisoning, and 10,000 patients are treated in hospitals for CO exposure. Most of these cases result from faulty heating systems, but barbeques, water heaters, and camping equipment (stoves, lanterns) are also sources of CO. 

Figure 7.67 The dissociation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood of a patient poisoned with carbon monoxide. The graph shows the effects of (A) breathing air (B), oxygen, or (C) oxygen at increased pressure (2.5 atmospheres) on the rate of dissociation. Source From Ref. 19.

The phenomenon of metal transport via the creation of volatile metal carbonyls is familiar to workers using carbon monoxide as a reactant. It is often found that carbon monoxide is contaminated with iron pentacarbonyl, formed by interactions between carbon monoxide and the walls of a steel container. Thus, it is common practice to place a hot trap between the source of the CO and the reaction vessel. Iron carbonyl decomposes in the hot trap and never reaches the catalyst that it would otherwise contaminate or poison. Transport of a number of transition metals via volatile metal carbonyls is common. For example, Collman et al. (73) found that rhodium from rhodium particles supported on either a polymeric support or on alumina could be volatilized to form rhodium carbonyls in flowing CO. 

Carbon monoxide (CO). One of the most important agents involved in poisoning cases with many sources (fires, car exhausts, solvent metabolism) and difficult to detect. Binds avidly to iron atoms in haemoglobin forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) which may be determined in the blood 20% COHb may lead to impairment of normal function, 60% to death. The main target organs are the brain... 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning remains the single most common cause of fatal poisoning in developed, Western countries and most probably in the rest of the world as well. Motor vehicle exhausts, defective heating systems and smoke from all types of fires are common sources. Some 40% of an absorbed dose of dichloro-methane is also metabolized to CO. 

The Influence of Phosphorus Poisoning. - Catalytic oxidation using noble metal catalysts has been used to reduce the concentration of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide pollutants released from internal combustion engines, and similar applications. It is well known that contaminants arising from lubricants, (P, Ca, and Zn) deactivate these catalysts. Phosphorus compounds in printing processes are the source of decay of noble metal catalysts used to control these emissions. 

HAZARD RISK Combustible solid poisonous gases produced in fire decomposition emits carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide avoid contact with heat, flame, ignition sources and incompatible materials NFPA code H 2 F 1 R 0. 

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