AND-YOURSE
  M0NQXIDE:
  POISONING
 Developed by AAPCHO; Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

         ENGLISH /KOREAN
            AAPCHfl
Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
           wmv.aapcho.org

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 Carbon monoxide can be deadly

 You can't see or smelf carbon monoxide, but at high
 levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon
 monoxide  (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such
 as gas, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If
 appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used
 properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not
 harzardous. However, if appliances are not working
 properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of
 CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally
 every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunc-
 tion or  improperly used fuel-burning appliances.
 Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Be
 safe. Practice the DO's and DONTs of carbon
 monoxide.

 CO Poisoning Symptoms

 Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate
 levels,  you or your family can get severe head-
 aches,  become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated
 or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a
 long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath,
 mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have
 longer term effects on your health. Since many of
 these symptom are similar to those of the flu, food
 poisoning,  or other illnesses, you may not think that
 CO poisoning could  be the cause.

Play  It Safe

 If you experience symptoms that you think could be
from CO poisoning:

 • DO
• GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY
  Open doors and windows, turn off combustion
  appliances and leave the house.
  GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM
  and tell the physician you suspect
  CO poisoning. If CO poisoning has
  occured, it can often be diagnosed
  by a blood test done soon after
  exposure.
 •  Be prepared to answer the following questions for
   the doctor:
    • Do your symptoms occur only in the house?
    • Do they disappear or decrease when you
      leave home and reappear when you return?
    • Is anyone else in your household complaining
      of similar symptoms? Did eveyone's
      symptoms appear about the same time?
    • Are you using any fuel-burning appliances in
      the home?
    • Has anyone inspected your appliances lately?
      Are you certain they are working properly?

Prevention is the Key to Avoiding

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

•  DO
•  Have your fuel-burning appliances-including oil
   and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges
   and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space
   heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves - inspected
   by a trained professional at
  the beginning of every
   heating season. Make
  certain that the flues and
  chimneys are connected, in
  good condition, and not
  blocked.

• Read and follow all of the
  instructions that accompany
  any fuel-burning device.

• Choose appliances that vent
  their fumes to the outside
  whenever possible, have them properly installed,
  and maintain them according to manufacturers'
  instructions.

• If you cannot avoid using an unvented gas or
                    kerosene space heater,
                    carefully follow the  cautions
                    that come with the  device.
                    Use the proper fuel and
                    keep doors to the rest of the
                    house open. Crack a
                    window to ensure enough
                    air for ventilation and proper
                    fuel-burning.

                    • Call EPA's IAQ INFO
                      Clearinghouse (1 -800-
                      438-4318) or the
                      Consumer Product

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        Safety Commission (1-800-638-2772) for more
        information on how to reduce your risks from CO
        and other combustion gases and particles.
      X  DON'T
      •  Don't idle car in a garage-
        even if the garage door to the
        outside is open. Fumes can
        build up very quickly in the
        garage and living  area of your
        home.

      •  Don't use a gas oven to heat
        your home, even for a short
        time.

      •  Don't use a charcoal grill
        indoors-even in a fireplace.
ctor
        Don t sleep in any room with a unvented gas or
        kerosene space heater.
                      Don't use any gasoline-powered
                      engines in enclosed Spaces.
                      Don't ignore symptoms,
                      particularly if more than one
                      person is feeling them. You
                      could lose conciousness and die
                      if you do nothing.

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