Category: Carbon Monoxide Hazards

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas that poses significant health risks because it interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. When inhaled, CO binds with hemoglobin in red blood cells more effectively than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin and thereby reducing the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea, and in severe cases, it can cause loss of consciousness, organ damage, and even death. Prolonged or high-level exposure to CO, often from faulty heating systems, car exhaust, or other combustion sources, can be particularly dangerous, making it crucial to ensure proper ventilation and install carbon monoxide detectors in homes and workplaces.

Resources:

CPSC-PR-24-339

Carbon Monoxide Hazards Categories CPSC CPSC-24 CPSC-2408 Electrocution Hazards Explosion & Fires Hazards Federal News Sources

CPSC-PR-24-339 (Aug. 5, 2024)

CPSC Urges Those Impacted by Tropical Storm Debby to Take Steps to Prevent CO Poisoning and Other Post-Storm Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging those impacted by Tropical Storm Debby to take steps to protect themselves and their families against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrocution, explosion and fires.

CPSC News Release - CPSC-PR-24-339

PR-24-339

Date: Aug. 5, 2024

Accessed: Aug. 27, 2024

Source URL: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Urges-Those-Impacted-by-Hurricane-Debby-to-Take-Steps-to-Prevent-CO-Poisoning-and-Other-Post-Storm-Hazards

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CPSC-PR-24-339

CPSC-PR-24-131

Carbon Monoxide Hazards Categories CPSC CPSC-24 CPSC-2402 Federal News Sources Furnace Hazards Generator Hazards Home Cold Weather Hazards Space Heater Hazards

CPSC-PR-24-131 (Feb. 26, 2024)

Stay Safe, While Staying Warm This Winter; CPSC Warns Consumers to be Cautious When Using Generators, Furnaces and Space Heaters – New CPSC Report Shows Upward Trend in Non-Fire CO Deaths Continues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As cold weather continues to impact much of the country, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about deadly hazards from home heating equipment, including space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces, based on the findings in a recent report.  

A new CPSC report shows that the upward trend in non-fire carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths from consumer products, including portable generators and heating appliances, continued for the 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. The estimated number of non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products under CPSC’s jurisdiction rose to an all-time high of 254 in 2019. Although there were fewer estimated deaths, 211, in 2020, that number otherwise exceeds all earlier years in the period. 

 

CPSC News Release - CPSC-PR-24-131

CPSC-PR-24-131

Date: Feb. 26, 2024

Accessed: Aug. 28, 2024

Source URL: https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/Stay-Safe-While-Staying-Warm-This-Winter-CPSC-Warns-Consumers-to-be-Cautious-When-Using-Generators-Furnaces-and-Space-Heaters

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CPSC-PR-24-131