carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms red face

#CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING SYMPTOMS RED FACE TV#

Cases of extreme poisoning, however, have resulted in stillbirths or nervous system defects in newborn children. Pregnant workers may face a special danger, although low-level carbon monoxide exposure has not been definitively linked to birth defects. During World War II in Italy, over 500 persons were killed almost instantly when their overloaded train became stuck in a steep, icy tunnel and toxic gas from the burning coal suffocated them.

Sudden exposure at high levels, however, can kill in just a few minutes. The long-term effects of low-level exposure are uncertain. A highly exposed victim who recovers may still suffer permanent damage of the brain or nerve tissue. Finally, high exposure can lead to convulsions, coma, or death. Further exposure will aggravate the preliminary symptoms and can be accompanied by a rapid pulse, confusion, loss of coordination, or collapse. Low-level exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea. The initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are difficult to differentiate from other possible causes. This can lead to suffocation, capillary hemorrhaging, permanent damage of nerve tissues and brain cells, and, possibly, death. High blood level concentrations of the compound will prevent sufficient amounts of oxygen from reaching the heart and brain. This means that even though there may be ample oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere, carbon monoxide will get into the bloodstream first. Although carbon monoxide follows the same path as oxygen, the poisonous gas combines with hemoglobin 210 times faster than does oxygen. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in the blood which carries oxygen. Health EffectsĬarbon monoxide enters the bloodstream through the lungs and combines with hemoglobin.

#CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING SYMPTOMS RED FACE TV#

These occupations primarily include manufacturing workers as well as telecommunications cable splicing and other outside plant technicians, and cable TV workers. Several thousands of CWA members work on jobs that may involve exposure to carbon monoxide. Because carbon monoxide comes from automobile exhaust, heaters, or recreational campers, nearly everyone is exposed at some time or another. Workers may be exposed to the toxic gas off the job as well. Particularly in danger are persons working near or within enclosed areas such as manholes, splicing vehicles, garages, tunnels, loading docks, warehouses, and vehicle repair shops. Truck drivers, forklift operators, or anyone working near such equipment are potentially exposed. Many furnaces and ovens also produce large amounts of the gas, especially when they are not properly maintained. The internal combustion engine is the chief source of workplace exposure to carbon monoxide. When mixed with air, large quantities of carbon monoxide can be highly flammable and explosive, but situations resulting in such high concentrations are rare. Poisoning occurs entirely from inhalation of the toxic compound from the air. The poisonous gas consists of just two elements, carbon and oxygen, and mixes readily with air. Commonly referred to as 'coal gas' or 'white damp,' carbon monoxide comes from the incomplete burning of gasoline, wood, coal, oil, propane gas, or anything else that contains carbon. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, and thus gives its victims no advance warning.

The primary danger with carbon monoxide is that it cannot be easily detected. Millions more are subject to low-level, long-term carbon monoxide exposure, the effects of which are not well defined.

At least another 10,000 workers suffer from the debilitating effects of high-level exposure. Carbon monoxide causes more deaths than any other toxic agent except alcohol. Each year, several thousand American workers are killed outright from carbon monoxide exposure, making the poisonous gas one of the most dangerous and widespread industrial hazards.

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms red face