Carbon Monoxide (CO)...What is it?
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless,
odorless, and tasteless gas which results from “incomplete combustion” of fuels such as natural gas, oil, propane, wood, etc. - Incomplete combustion happens when there is an improper air/fuel mixture...We TEST for CO both in your house & in your combustion appliances such as your furnace/ boiler, oven, hot water tank, etc.
How does CO get in Your House
- CO can enter your house from a number of different sources:
- outside sources such as high traffic, your own vehicle/garage, exterior discharge of your combustion appliances
- Interior sources such as backdrafting from you furnace or hot water tank
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Carbon Monoxide moves into your house through openings or 'holes' in your house...they can be open connections to your garage, the outside, or intentional 'openings' such as chimneys or flue pipes. When pressures are such that air is pulled into your house, there is the possibility that outside contaminents or those created in your furnace, oven, hot water tank may pull into your home and cause health & safety problems. Our basic Energy Assessment tests these pressures & the CO levels throughout your house.
What are the symptoms of CO in your house?
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At low concentrations: Shortness of breath, mild nausea, mild headaches
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At moderate concentrations: Impaired vision & coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea; flu-like symptoms
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At very high levels: Can be fatal, causing death within minutes
Long Term Carbon Monoxide Exposure
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Exposure over a long period of time,
even at low levels, can cause: -
Headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain,
joint pain, chronic fatigue, dizziness,
numbness, tingling, and vertigo, as well as:
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Cognitive/memory impairments
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Affective disorders (emotional/personality effects)
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Sensory and motor disorders
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Testing for CO in a Hot Water Tank







