As we slip into fall, we thought it timely to bring up everyone’s least favorite toxic gas, carbon monoxide. There is no one better equipped to answer questions pertaining to this than the Flatheads own Bob Dwyer. Being a national speaker on the subject, he weaves fascinating stories created by decades of personal experience all the while pontificating like this is a life or death situation. Of course, it is, and he knows it, and gives it all the passion he can muster (which is legendary). Anyone familiar with Bob knows that any one answer to any one question posed would consume volumes so let’s try and do this in 500 words or less (ha).
Q: What is best way to protect yourself and loved ones from the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning?
A: Equip your home (and office for that matter) with digital readout CO detectors. Don’t go cheap on this one. A digital display will show you actual levels which is good to know since this gas is colorless, odorless, and deadly.
Q: How could carbon monoxide get into my home?
A: We live in a “combustion culture” and are surrounded by fire, most of it hidden from view. Gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, gas ranges, dryers, BBQ’s, etc.… are integral to living indoors. Carbon monoxide is a product of that combustion and with the correct venting, proper building pressure, adequate building ventilation, and properly operating and maintained appliances, you have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much of a deviation on any of the above-mentioned factors to affect not only how these appliances burn but how that exhaust exits the building (or not). Having a CO detector can make you aware of a life-threatening problem, but does not solve the problem. Professional assistance will probably be necessary to determine the source and solutions.
Q: What if I have an all-electric home, should I worry?
A: That does take some of the potential contamination sources away but don’t forget about one of the largest producers of CO, your vehicle. Even a clean burning car emits thousands of parts per million of carbon monoxide. Attached garages are the worst for collecting this gas as it makes its way into the home through the door and even small openings between. Putting your new CO detector in the garage will quickly prove that getting the car outside as quickly as possible and ventilating the garage is a must. Even warming up a car outside can be a source as many homes are fairly leaky at the foundation or basement, drawing the gas inside.
Q: Are there long-term health risks from carbon monoxide exposure?
A: Of course, but it varies. High enough levels, in the 6,000 parts per million range, will probably kill you in under fifteen minutes. That is a short-term risk, but in many well documented cases there was a continuous low-level exposure that created serious chronic health issues that often go undiagnosed. Flu like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, weakness, could be any number of illnesses but until a well-informed health care professional runs a toxicology test on the patients’ blood does it come to light. A quality digital carbon monoxide detector would prevent this sort of life changing disaster but what’s your health worth really.
I’m sure Bob could go on and on but he has lives to save as he travels the country famously quoting “you don’t know if you don’t test.” AirWorks fell under his spell many years ago as we have been religiously testing carbon monoxide in the home and certainly at the heating appliances. Have we found life threatening problems, you betcha, it’s a regular occurrence. We test, so we know. For questions pertaining to CO and to schedule that overdue heating system check give AirWorks a call at (406) 630-4170
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