Carbon monoxide: Don't be afraid of it — detect it
First of all, we just want to say that we are not trying to add to the culture of fear that seems to be so prevalent in this country. Every day, the media is positively brimming with the many things that, according to one expert or another, we should be afraid of. Dogs of a certain breed, birds of a certain color, persons of a certain race, foods of a certain origin, weather of a certain magnitude, religions that are different than ours, prophets, politicians, priests, the IRA, IRS, NRA, AMA, NBA, FOX, NPR, diets, too much exercise, too little exercise, using a cell phone, driving a car, flying in an airplane, walking down the road, the sun, the soil, the water, and even the air we breathe.
Ahhh! The air we breathe! Is it really something to fear? Well, maybe. This is a true story.
A few weeks ago, we were inspecting a house for which a client had signed a purchase offer. The owners of the house, Donald and Jane, a very friendly senior couple, happened to be present during the inspection, and when we admired the brand new forced air, gas furnace in the basement, they shared with us this tale.
Last winter, Donald, whose health was already somewhat compromised with heart and lung problems, got mysteriously sick. He had trouble breathing, dizziness, headaches, and nausea. He was admitted to the hospital where no one could figure out the problem; a virus perhaps. His condition improved and he was sent home, only to get sick again. By spring, he had been in and out of the hospital three times. There was no diagnosis.
About this time, as they did every spring, Donald and Jane had their old furnace serviced. The man servicing the furnace came up from the basement and asked them if they had been having any recent health problems. He wasn't surprised when they told him what they'd been through. He had discovered a large crack in the 10 year old furnace's heat exchanger from which carbon monoxide — an odorless, colorless and potentially deadly gas — was escaping into the house. Without a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in the house, they were not aware of the problem. Once a new furnace was installed, Donald's mysterious symptoms disappeared. They also installed a CO detector, a relatively cheap device, ranging in price from $20 to $100, depending on the quality and sensitivity. It's very similar in appearance to a smoke detector and readily available online or at any hardware store.
Carbon monoxide has been called the “silent killer.” It can be produced in the home whenever any fuel is burned. When combustion appliances operate properly and are vented properly, there is little risk. However, poor maintenance, improper installation, damaged equipment, or improper construction practices can allow flue gases containing CO to spill into the building. Boilers, furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, space heaters (unvented or vented), a car running in the garage, can all produce carbon monoxide.
If the CO level in a home is low, the flu-like symptoms are similar to Donald's. If the level is moderate, the symptoms can be severe headaches, drowsiness, confusion, and an accelerated pulse. A high level can cause unconsciousness, convulsions, heart failure, and death. Children, pregnant women, elderly people and cardiac patients can be especially sensitive.
It is now a requirement in New York State that when a house is sold, the owner must provide the buyer with a a UL-certified carbon monoxide detector. However, there are many, many houses in our area that lack this important device. Every home, apartment, and business should be protected.
When shopping for a CO detector, make sure that it carries an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label. Like smoke alarms, a CO detector should be mounted to the ceiling in a hallway near bedrooms. For additional safety, it's a good idea to place another detector near the main combustion equipment.
We feel that any fuel burning appliances in a home should be maintained regularly and that any fuel burning heating system be inspected and serviced by a heating professional every year. Donald and Jane did just that, but without the CO detector, they still ran into trouble.
So, don't be afraid. Just be smart. Go out and buy a carbon monoxide detector. If you already have one, make sure that it's working. Be confident that there is one less thing to fear. Ahhh! The air we breathe! |
