Carbon monoxide
Key Points
Fire
- Flammable gas
- May react violently with other substances
- In the event of a fire involving carbon monoxide, use fine water spray with normal fire-fighting clothing and breathing apparatus
Health
- Toxic when inhaled
- Following short-term exposure symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, memory loss, fainting, coma and death may arise
- Effects such as fast heart rate and breathing, low blood pressure and cardiac arrest may also occur
- Long-term effects may occur such as behavioural changes
- Long-term exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide may cause tiredness, headaches, sickness, dizziness, personality changes, memory problems, visual and hearing loss
- Carbon monoxide may cause harm to the unborn child
Environment
- Unlikely to pose a significant risk to the environment
Information on CO awareness and press releases on CO
All sections are available to download in PDF format below:
Carbon monoxide - Full Document (PDF, 123 KB)