Mississippi State Department of Health

Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Dangers

  [close]

Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas that comes from any heater that burns fuel. Carbon monoxide buildup can cause illness and death by suffocation.

Cold weather brings people indoors seeking warmth. Any heater that burns fuel, such as your furnace, gas water heater or a portable butane or gas heater, produces carbon monoxide that can leak into the air. Mild exposure to carbon monoxide can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or headaches. Severe poisoning can result in brain or heart damage or even death.

Have furnaces and heaters inspected every year. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and tasteless. Inspection helps protect yourself and your family.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.

Precautions you can take to prevent carbon monoxide exposure:

Carbon monoxide is one of the most common industrial hazards. Most carbon monoxide exposure comes from internal combustion engines. Forges, blast furnaces and coke ovens also produce carbon monoxide.

Suggestions for business employers and the public:


Find this page at http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/index.cfm/index.cfm

print  close