CARBON MONOXIDE - THE SILENT KILLER
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HELPLINE 0800 1694 457
CARBON MONOXIDE - HOW IT OCCURS
- The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas, wood
- The normal combustion process (the addition of oxygen) will result in carbon in the fossil fuel, combining with oxygen in the air, to produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), the same substance we exhale when we breathe.
- However, if there is a lack of air for the combustion process or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can be produced - which we do not want to breathe.
POTENTIAL SOURCES
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM
Appliances that can commonly leak CO are central heating boilers, cookers, water heaters, portable heaters, open fires and wood burning stoves.
The build up of CO can also be a result of any of the following:
- Faulty or damaged appliances - heating or cooking
- Heating appliance not maintained or serviced
- Badly ventilated rooms - sealed windows, no air bricks
- Blocked chimneys or flues - birds nests, fallen bricks, growing vegetation, bad DIY
- Indoor use of a barbecue grill or outdoor heater
- Poor or improper installation or use of appliances
- Running engines such as cars or lawnmowers in garages
- Using cooking appliances for heating purposes
- Old appliances that have not been serviced or looked after properly