Auto Repair Salt Lake City: Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Vehicles

Cars and trucks are a source of carbon monoxide. Increasingly advanced systems over the years have made it possible to cut this pollution by up to ninety percent, and today’s vehicles produce far less carbon monoxide fumes and emissions than vehicles from forty years ago. Even though carbon monoxide levels have been reduced over the years, it is therefore important that car drivers are aware of how they can reduce the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning from their vehicles. Here are the quick FAQS on carbon monoxide and your car:

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

Where is CO found?

CO is found in combustion fumes produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned by breathing it.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.

You may find that your symptoms improve whenever you are away from the car, but come back or become worse whenever you are in the car. This is a definite sign that you should get your vehicle checked out for CO leakage. 

Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before ever experiencing symptoms.

How does CO poisoning work?

Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.

Tips to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from your Car:

1. Get your exhaust checked out for leaks. Mufflers, tail pipes, catalytic converters, exhaust manifolds can all leak CO gas into your car or truck.

2. If you keep your car in a garage at home, you should never leave the engine running idle in an enclosed space. This can cause a build up of carbon monoxide fumes in the garage area, and can also cause CO pollution to seep in to the house, which poses a risk to everyone in the home.

3. If you must keep the car idling for heat inside your car, crack open a window for ventilation. Fresh air is your best defense against excessive CO gases affecting your body.

4. Have your vehicle checked for excessive CO emissions during the winter months, as this could help to protect you and others. You should bear in mind that vehicles tend to give off more carbon monoxide emission during the colder months because more fuel is required in order to start and run the engine during cold weather.

It is vital that motorists take the same precautions to avoid carbon monoxide pollution and poisoning when in their vehicles, as they would in the home or office.

Carbon monoxide is still as deadly when the leakage or pollution is from your vehicle as it is from any other source, and without taking steps to prevent, identify and reduce this pollution you could suffer serious illness, injury or death.

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