Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.
If you think you are experiencing symptoms of CO exposure go outside or to a well ventilated area with plenty of fresh air. If symptoms worsen or if you pass out seek immediate attention from a health care provider.
Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source.
At low concentrations, fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Can cause flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Fatal at very high concentrations. Acute effects are due to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, which inhibits oxygen intake. At moderate concentrations, angina, impaired vision, and reduced brain function may result. At higher concentrations, CO exposure can be fatal.
It is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings and in vocational programs. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of CO are expected for short periods of time.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a CO alarm. CPSC also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel- burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks. CPSC recommends that every home should have at least one CO alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard or International Approval Services 6-96 standard. www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01069.html 
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CO poisoning is reportable to the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Who should report?
What should be reported?
How to report?
| Phone (Mon-Fri 8 am-4:30 pm): | 800-972-2026 |
| Fax: | 515-281-4529 |
| Address: | Iowa Department of Public Health Division of Environmental Health Lucas State Office Building 321 E. 12th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0075 |
| 24-hour Disease Reporting Hotline: (For use outside of EH office hours) |
800-362-2736 |
The EPA has recently updated their website with information on Indoor Air Quality in Ice Arenas which includes information on potential carbon monoxide exposures. For more information visit their site http://www.epa.gov/iaq/icearenas.html .
Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center - Carbon Monoxide Information for Healthcare Providers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fact Sheet
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Product Safety Tips - Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Underwriters' Laboratory
Disposing of Smoke Detectors - EPA's Radiation Protection Division
For more information contact:
Documents denoted by 
are available in Portable Document Format (.pdf).
