There Is A Complex Balance Between Safety And Carbon Monoxide

Written by Michael Regis Monday, 27 June 2011 03:17

Mankind has always existed with a love hate relationship between things that produce power and the risks associated with them. Nuclear power and its problems are on our minds now because of the dramatic recent events, but more people are likely to be hurt by common items than radiation. In fact, it is a fact that a most difficult challenge for professionals for public health is the misunderstanding of the rules affording a measure of safety and carbon monoxide producing household appliances.

Mankind has always existed with a love hate relationship between things that produce power and the risks associated with them. Nuclear power and its problems are on our minds now because of the dramatic recent events, but more people are likely to be hurt by common items than radiation. In fact, it is a fact that a most difficult challenge for professionals for public health is the misunderstanding of the rules affording a measure of safety and carbon monoxide producing household appliances.

As the world entered the industrial era the single greatest need was a steady and continuous source of energy. Burning wood and coal and any other form of fossil fuels represented an inexpensive, plentiful and effective source of energy that could be easily adapted to everyday life. Unfortunately, the world soon learned the byproducts of this use created a significant problem for human habitation. Nevertheless, the invention of the internal combustion engine was heralded for its opening of a world of progress with seemingly endless capacity.

As the world began to understand the potential energy that could be produced from fossil fuels, the thirst for power became unquenchable. Especially after the raw material was refined to gasoline a power source never before seen on earth was discovered. Controlling the most explosive material known to man, prior to the advent of nuclear explosions, led to some absolutely amazing inventions. The only problem is that burning this material leaves some unpleasant byproducts.

A significant byproduct of burning fossil fuel is a single atom of oxygen combined with one of carbon. This compound has a triple bond, significantly stronger than most natural bonds known. Together this compound creates a health hazard due to its affinity for blood. Hemoglobin binds with it at a strength over 200 times its natural binding association with oxygen.

With the carbon monoxide complex attached to the hemoglobin, the remaining oxygen will not release from the hemoglobin, so it can not be delivered to the tissue. One of the myths of poisoning by this gas is that the victim will appear cherry red. This is simply not the case, and this predominant false conception is a primary frustration for emergency medical practitioners.

A victim that has been exposed to this gas for an length of time requires attention. There is no treatment for the inhalation of the gas, it must simply pass over time. While this is happening, the victim must have access to clean clear air while waiting for the bonds to break on their own over time. Ideally, they wold have access to a medical facility so they could gain influx of pure oxygen.

The key for Samaritans who come across victims is to get them out of the environment they are in. It is important for all of us to understand that the urban myth that victims will appear cherry red is just that; a myth. There is no visible way to identify who has been exposed for too long a period of time, if an unconscious person is in an area where fossil fuels are burned and their is inadequate ventilation, a deductive conclusion must be reached.

It is difficult for individuals to detect the danger they and their family is in because of the characteristics of the gas. The only safe way to assess the presence of this gas is to use technological meters, human senses can not identify it. Safety and carbon monoxide are at odds with one another and the only weapon we have is information.