Carbon Monoxide (CO)
What is Carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic, colourless, odourless and tasteless gas. It is the by-product of incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials in an oxygen-deficient environment.
Sources of Carbon monoxide
Common sources of carbon monoxide found indoor include: occupants’ smoking activities; malfunctioning cooking appliances; entry of outdoor vehicle exhaust fumes into a building’s ventilation system; malfunctioning water heater; malfunctioning gas clothes dryer; appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, lack of adequate ventilation, pool/spa heaters, fires.
Possible Health Implications
Typical indoor concentrations, in the absence of any sources of machine exhaust, are usually lower than that found outside. The toxic properties of carbon monoxide are associated with its high affinity for oxygen-carrying proteins such as haemoglobin and myoglobin. Hence, a high indoor concentration of carbon monoxide may impact important organs with a high oxygen demand, such as brain and heart.
Common health effects of Carbon monoxide include: headache; dizziness; weakness; nausea and vomiting; rapid heartbeat; shortness of breath; seizures; cardiac arrest; loss of hearing; blurry vision; disorientation; loss of consciousness or coma; respiratory failure; death
Mitigation strategies
In addition to ensuring adequate ventilation in indoors, it is most important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicular use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings. Smoking should be banned indoors, in close proximity to windows, doors, and fresh air intake. Fresh air intake should not be designed to be facing car parks, delivery bay or major roads.
To read more on effect of CO on Indoor Air Quality, please visit the following links:
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Carbon Monoxide
About Carbon Monoxide
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Environmental Assessment
Singapore National Environment Agency recommends that the maximum threshold level for carbon monoxide should not exceed 9ppm, based on “Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises”.