Carbon Monoxide Hazards

The engine in your car is a source of carbon monoxide (often referred to as CO). There is no doubt that carbon monoxide is poisonous and can even kill you. Therefore, even though the levels of carbon monoxide produced by motor vehicles have been reduced over the years, it is imperative that we become aware of these risks and how to lessen them.

Carbon monoxide is deadly because, aside from it's toxicity, it is so easy to inhale. This is due to the fact that it has roughly the same density as, and mixes easily with, the air we already breathe. It is also very dificult to detect, as it is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating. If lucky, a person exposed to carbon monoxide may detect an odor from another by-product of the combustion process, but not from carbon monoxide itself. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, and even loss of consciousness and death.

When it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, it is not merely the levels in the air that is important to gauge, but the time of exposure. Damage to the exhaust system may cause an emmision leak which could work itself into the passenger cabin. Therefore, even a leak you may find "minor" could pose a serious danger to you and your passengers. It is important to pay attention to the sound of the exhaust system of your vehicle, and to have it inspected immediately if you hear any change in it. Also, periodic inspections of your exhaust system, like at every oil change, can be a life saver. This is especially true in cold weather when the engine requires more fuel, thereby giving off more carbon monoxide emissions. You can find out more about the dangers of carbon monoxide such as more detailed symptoms, long term effects, treatments and much more here.

In addition to presence of damage to the exhaust system such as from an impact to the undercarriage (pot holes, rocks, etc.), and corrosion, we must also exercise common sense in preventing these emissions from entering the passenger cabin. An obvious example is not running the engine in an enclosed space such as a garage.

A not so obvious example is driving a vehicle equiped with a rear tailgate with the rear window open. If you drive the vehicle with the tailgate open and other windows closed, you run the risk that carbon monoxide from the exhaust emission may be "sucked in"and drawn into the passenger compartment. This would create a dangerous condition for all passengers, especially in a long trip.