Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless, tasteless, colourless, non irritant gas.
It is generated by the incomplete combustion of Carbon or Hydrocarbons. Carbon
monoxide poisoning happens when the gas is breathed in over a period of time.
The major sources are faulty domestic heating boilers, smoke exposure and car
exhaust fumes.
The proportion of accidental to non accidental CO exposure in the UK is 50/50
on a consistent basis. Peak incidence seems to be the quarter starting November.
It is estimated that CO poisoning causes 1800 deaths per annum in the UK.
Powered carbon monoxide detectors are becoming cheaper all the time, and have
the advantage over the spot detectors of giving an audible and visual warning
of a dangerous build up of the carbon monoxide gas.
