What are the main sources of carbon monoxide in the home?
Carbon monoxide is produced as a by-product of the combustion process when any gaseous, liquid or solid fuel is burned. Some primary sources of CO in the home include automobile exhaust, wood stoves and fireplaces, barbecues, home heating equipment and gas stoves and ovens. How much carbon monoxide is produced by home heating equipment? In tests conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory, it was determined that, on average, properly adjusted flame retention oil burners produce about 32 PPM of carbon monoxide. Research conducted by the American Gas Association and the Gas Research Institute indicate that average CO emissions for properly adjusted gas heating equipment is about 47 PPM. Both of these CO levels are very safe, especially since the CO being produced is carried up the chimney with the flue gases. Wood stoves and fireplaces produce CO levels hundreds of times higher than oil or gas burners. USEPA data indicate that wood stoves and fireplaces can generate CO levels of more tha
