Since September 1, 2016, 305 people in France have suffered from poisoning from carbon monoxide. This colorless and odorless gas (chemical formula CO) is almost undetectable by humans: it appears in the environment as soon as combustion is incomplete.
Thus, all appliances operating from combustion can potentially emit carbon monoxide if they do not operate correctly: wood, coal, gas or oil boilers; water heaters and bath heaters; fireplace inserts, stoves; mobile auxiliary heaters; wood, charcoal or gas stoves; car engines in garages … Fortunately, electrical devices are not affected.
When inhaled, carbon monoxide disrupts the circulation ofhemoglobin – red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body. As a result, cells suffocate: we speak of cellular hypoxia.
Regularly ventilating your home is important
The damage is all the more serious the longer the exposure time. The first symptoms appear quickly: discomfort, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, weakness, shortness of breath … If you do not react very quickly (by calling 15), death can occur within an hour. .
To protect yourself, several solutions exist: first, have your heating installation checked by a qualified professional before the onset of winter. Then ventilate your home regularly (even when it is cold) and regularly check the condition of the ventilation systems.
It is also possible to purchase a “stand-alone carbon monoxide alarm detector” (DAACO) marked with standard NF EN 50291 or NF 292. This sounds an audible alarm when the carbon monoxide concentration level of the air exceeds 50 ppm, a warning threshold that is still tolerable by the body.
To read :
Carbon monoxide poisoning: the never-ending symptoms
Carbon monoxide: simple steps to protect yourself