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Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and highly toxic gas produced
during the burning of wood, wood-based products, and fossil fuels. The
presence of 0.2% of carbon monoxide in room air, or even less, can cause
death within two hours. This can occur while the victim is sleeping,
unaware that anything is wrong.
Everyone is susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning. However, certain
groups of people are particularly likely to incur serious injury or
death. These include: seniors, individuals with heart or respiratory
conditions, small children, and unborn babies. In the case of pregnancy,
carbon monoxide inhalation can injure the baby without causing noticeable
symptoms in the mother. Any pregnant woman who suspects that she has
been exposed to carbon monoxide should contact her doctor immediately.
Common sources of carbon monoxide in homes include furnaces, fireplaces,
wood stoves, gas ranges, gas water heaters, and automobiles in attached
garages. Many less commonly used appliances, such as kerosene space
heaters, emergency electrical generators, pool heaters, barbecue grills,
wallpaper steamers, propane torches, and ceiling-mounted heaters, can
also pose serious carbon monoxide risks if they are not functioning
properly or are used incorrectly. Several fairly common conditions such
as the blockage of chimney flues by bird nests or the improper connection
of an induced-draft furnace and a standard gas water heater to the same
flue, can likewise result in the dangerous accumulation of carbon monoxide.
Of the major sources of carbon monoxide, gas and oil furnaces are
of particular concern because undetected cracks in furnace heat exchangers
(which are common) can allow a steady seepage of carbon monoxide into
the household air. During the cold season, when houses are shut tight
and furnaces are in constant use, this steady influx of carbon monoxide
can build to very dangerous, even lethal levels.
At Accredited Home Inspection, we evaluate properties
thoroughly for carbon monoxide risk. We test with a Monoxor II , considered
to be the "gold standard" of residential carbon monoxide detection instruments.
It can accurately detect carbon monoxide levels as low as one part per
million, which is far below the toxic threshold of 50 parts per million
established by OSHA. We use this device to compare the carbon monoxide
levels of outside and inside air and to ascertain the carbon monoxide
output of major gas and oil-fired appliances.
Carbon monoxide testing is affordable and could prove to be the most
important insurance that you will ever purchase. Carbon monoxide testing
is routinely included in our general home inspections and is not subject
to a separate charge.
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