CARBON MONOXIDE is generated whenever something is burning. Ovens, kilns, and furnaces are all sources of carbon monoxide.  Equipment should be designed to capture the products of combustion and exhaust them to scrubbers, or recycle the burnable gases back into the furnace.  Carbon monoxide can escape into the mill, if the ventilation is poorly designed, or poorly maintained.  If the ventilation is blocked or if the exhaust pipes have leaks, carbon monoxide can become a serious hazard. 

Carbon Monoxide is odorless, and mixes with air.

Carbon Monoxide can be lethal.

What Is The Problem With Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless poisonous gas that is the leading cause of poisoning by inhalation, and the leading cause of death due to poisoning in the United States. 

It is one of the most common workplace hazards.

Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen.  Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause mild, moderate or severe effects, and death.  Mild poisoning can cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, and dizziness.  Other symptoms may include rapid heart rate, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, heart pain, loss of consciousness, and seizures.  Severe poisoning can result in permanent brain and heart damage or death.  Persons with heart or lung conditions or anemia are more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide.  Carbon monoxide can harm pregnancy.  Smokers may be at increased risk, because they already have carbon monoxide in their systems.  Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may be difficult to recognize, because they may be confused with the flu or other illnesses, or even side effects from taking cold medicine, or other over-the-counter-medicine.  Suspecting carbon monoxide poisoning may be the key to proper treatment.  Sources of carbon monoxide include cars, furnaces, gas-powered engines and fork-lift trucks. Carbon monoxide may cause subtle harm if you are exposed chronically, at low levels, over a period of time.

If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, emergency medical personnel should provide pure oxygen, even before any tests are performed.  If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, the degree of absorption can be measured with a blood test for carboxyhemoglobin, as soon as possible after exposure. The degree of exposure can be back-calculated from the blood test. 

OSHA has issued citations for overexposure of workers to carbon monoxide based on these tests.

What Can Be Done About Carbon Monoxide?

Wherever carbon monoxide may be released, there should be monitors in place that give a visual (flashing light) and loud sound alarm.  The area should be evacuated immediately.  Only persons in self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) can then enter the area. 

Unless you suspect carbon monoxide, you may miss it.

Respirators cannot filter out carbon monoxide.

Only a supplied air respirator is safe to use when carbon monoxide is present in dangerous concentrations.

SOLUTIONS

• Recognize sources of carbon monoxide -  know how dangerous carbon monoxide can be.
• Engineering controls that reduce hazardous exposure should (and in many cases, must) be implemented.
• Make sure there is a carbon monoxide alarm in the area. 
• Know emergency evacuation procedures and participate in periodic drills.

Additional LINKS TO KEY RESOURCES

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/carbonmonoxide/index.html

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/carbonmonoxide/recognition.html

http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_225600.html

Click Here to download a printable copy of the Carbon Monoxide Hazards Fact Sheet