Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By Mary Oquendo
November 16, 2015

Nothing like driving in the pouring rain with all the windows rolled down… now why would I do something like that?

While windswept, somewhat mussy hair may be appealing on somebody who looks more like Taylor Swift; I look more like Kathy Bates.  great thing I’m a mobile groomer as well as have gain access to to combs, brushes, as well as hair dryers before entering a client’s house looking less than professional.

I was driving with my windows down since it was the preferable option as the other choice was death by carbon monoxide poisoning.

I understood I had an exhaust leak, however did not recognize that the hole in the pipe was directly under the cab. I had arranged the repair work for a number of weeks in the future for when I was on vacation. My clients would be extremely happy, as there would be no requirement to reschedule them. As the owner of an aging vehicle, my clients have gotten utilized to unscheduled repairs.

I was alerted to the develop up of carbon monoxide in the cab by the battery operated carbon monoxide detector in my work area. The latch on the door separating the cab as well as my workspace was damaged as well as I had not gotten around to fixing it. as well as since the latch was broken, the door would swing open while driving. since this screen was battery operated as well as not wired into the generator, it was set off when carbon monoxide gas began to spill out of the cab as well as fill the work area.

Had the detector been wired into the generator, it would not have alerted me as I was driving. carbon monoxide is an odorless as well as colorless gas as well as I may not have ever realized I was being poisoned without the detector doing its job.

Why is carbon monoxide gas a problem?

When you breathe in carbon monoxide, it triggers a reduction in oxygen in red blood cells. Your organs requirement that oxygen in the blood stream to “breathe.” This lack of oxygen suffocates your vital organs. low levels of carbon monoxide in the air can cause long-term heart as well as brain damage, while high levels will kill you quickly. even at low levels, carbon monoxide is more dangerous to you than heart or lung disease.

The half life of carbon monoxide is five hours. That means it takes five hours for half of the carbon monoxide in your body to dissipate. as well as then it takes one more 5 hours for half of what is delegated leave your body. So after 10 hours, your body is retaining 25% of the carbon monoxide you were at first subjected to.

But carbon monoxide poisoning is not restricted to vehicle engine exhaust leaks. carbon monoxide can discover its method into your vehicle through:

Poorly sealed or aging floors, in addition to open windows as well as doors.  Exhaust from idling vehicles or generators can drift into your work area.

Malfunctioning or incorrectly vented kerosene, oil, or propane heaters. In addition to the risk of carbon monoxide build-up, they likewise present a terminate hazard.

Exhaust from fuel-powered devices can be pulled into our work areas by our intake fans when yard as well as maintenance business are working at a client’s home at the exact same time we are there.

Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can mimic the flu. Symptoms include:

Headache

Drowsiness

Feeling faint

Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue

Rapid or irregular breathing

Confusion

Disorientation

Overall weakness

Chest pain in people with heart disease

Impaired judgment

Higher concentrations of carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness, coma as well as death. The difference between flu symptoms as well as carbon monoxide poisoning is that with the flu, you don’t feel much better when you leave the impacted area.

By the time you notice the symptoms, it may already be as well late. The longer you are subjected to carbon monoxide, the worse your personal result is. In addition, age, genetics, as well as health and wellness can play a function in exactly how well a person reacts to carbon monoxide poisoning. In the exact same time frame, one person may get a headache whereas one more may die.

While you may not be able to prevent carbon monoxide from entering your workspace, you can be alerted to its danger. set up battery operated carbon monoxide detectors as well as replace the batteries at least when a year. Detectors are quickly sourced with regional hardware as well as supply stores, in addition to on on the internet sites such as Amazon. set up this detector according to manufacturer directions.

Needless to say, the repair work I arranged during my vacation was moved up as well as those clients rescheduled. By the time this is in print, I should have my new grooming vehicle. I’m not sure who is more excited, my clients or myself.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is not to be taken lightly, as there are long-term – as well as sometimes – extremely long-term consequences.

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