Understand the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas. It's formed during incomplete burning of fuels, such as gasoline, kerosene, natural gas, oil, coal, or wood. Carbon monoxide is also found in cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust. In homes, carbon monoxide can quickly build up from a poorly vented or malfunctioning heater, furnace, range or any fuel-powered appliance, or from a car left idling in a garage.
Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of fatal poisonings. Wisconsin State Law now requires carbon monoxide detectors to be placed on each floor level in all Wisconsin residences.
Take Action if Your CO Detector Sounds
- Take immediate action if your CO detector sounds or if you have headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and/or confusion.
- Get fresh air immediately. Call your local fire department and move everyone outdoors into fresh air.
- Do not re-enter the building until it has been inspected and declared safe.
General Information
General CO Recommendations
- Use Generators Safely, P-01561 (PDF). Generators produce high levels of CO in their exhaust. If used incorrectly, generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shocks, fires, and burns.
- Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide, P-01569 (PDF). Follow these simple tips to protect your family since you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.
- Know the Signs and Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, P-01029 (PDF). Post these signs and symptoms around your work or school to know what to look out for.
Ice Arena Resources
- Ice arena air quality information
- Recommendations for Enclosed Ice Arena Management, P-00067 (PDF)
- Video: Real-time Monitoring of Carbon Monoxide Poisonings in Wisconsin
Boating
Staying Safe from Carbon Monoxide While Boating. Review these additional recommendations if you have a fuel-powered boat.
Additional Resources
- Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Portal: Search our portal for data related to carbon monoxide poisonings in Wisconsin.
- Surveillance Brief, P-01071a (PDF): Learn more about carbon monoxide poisonings in Wisconsin.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CO Poisoning
- Webinar: The New Carbon Monoxide Rule: Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Residential Buildings Webinar (recorded 7/17/2018)
- Webinar: Taking Action with Data: A Closer Look at Carbon Monoxide (recorded 11/20/2018)
For Health Professionals
This is a Wisconsin disease surveillance category II disease:
Carbon Monoxide Resources
- Looking for ways to take action? the Ideas for Taking Action (P-01795) fact sheet contains strategies for addressing carbon monoxide poisoning.
- MMWR: Exposure to Elevated Carbon Monoxide Levels at an Indoor Ice Arena - Wisconsin, 2014
Reportable Condition Information
- DPH/BEOH Memo: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Reporting Requirements 11/7/2018 (PDF)
- DPH/BEOH Memo: New Environmental and Occupational Reportable Conditions 7/11/2018 (PDF)
- Reporting Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Webinar - 7/10/2018
- EpiNet: Carbon monoxide case definition, P-02192 (PDF)
- EpiNet: Case definition flow chart (PDF)
Additional Information
How to Avoid Exposure
About 50% of all CO poisonings occur in the home. Other common settings include cars, cabins, and tents. Follow these important steps to avoid carbon monoxide poisonings:
- All homes must be equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors function similarly to smoke detectors and are available at most hardware stores.
- Have your furnace, gas stove, and fireplace checked annually by a qualified professional. Have the professional check for proper ventilation and function.
- Never run an engine in an enclosed space, such as a garage. This includes cars, snowmobiles, generators, and lawn mowers. Review our fact sheet on using generators safely.
- Never use a gas oven to heat a home.
Health Effects
Being around low levels of this odorless gas can produce a throbbing headache, dizziness, fatigue, mental confusion, and shortness of breathe. Higher exposures result in severe headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat and unconsciousness. Occasionally, these symptoms can be mistaken for symptoms of the flu.
Exposure to very high levels of carbon monoxide can cause seizures, coma, respiratory failure, and death. Exposure during pregnancy is associated with birth defects and fetal death. In addition to the toxic effects of CO, this gas is very flammable and high concentrations may be explosive.
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