Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide

Product of incomplete combustion of various types of fuel, colorless and odorless; has a pronounced toxic effect. Exhaust gases from internal combustion engines contain large amounts of carbon monoxide. The poisonous effect of carbon monoxide is due to its ability to react with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin (see Blood, hematopoietic system), which does not bind oxygen. As a result, oxygen starvation of the body occurs (see Hypoxia), tissue respiration and the functioning of all organs and systems of the body are disrupted.

Carbon monoxide poisoning at home can occur in residential premises with stove heating, if the window is closed before the fuel has completely burned out, or when spending the night in a passenger car with the engine running and the windows closed. In industrial premises, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, its content in the air of the working area should not exceed 20 mg/m3.

The nature of carbon monoxide poisoning depends on its concentration in the air, duration of exposure and individual sensitivity.

With a mild degree of poisoning, there is a feeling of heaviness and pulsation in the head, pain in the temples and forehead (a feeling of a “hoop”), noise in the ears, flickering of spots and darkening in the eyes, trembling, weakness, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, stunnedness. In case of severe poisoning, consciousness is confused, drowsiness increases, followed by loss of consciousness; pupils dilated, shallow breathing, rapid pulse, convulsions.

First aid: before the emergency doctor arrives, the victim should be taken out into fresh air as soon as possible, carefully bring a cotton swab soaked in ammonia to his nose, rub his chest, cover him with a blanket, cover him with heating pads, and give him strong hot tea or coffee.