What is carbon monoxide and what are the major sources of it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and toxic gas. When inhaled, it inhibits the blood’s capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time. Fuel burning appliances such as gas furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves and kerosene heaters produce CO in varying concentrations when there is incomplete combustion. When properly installed, maintained and vented, any CO produced by these devices will be vented outside the home.
