Every year, numerous people suffer ill health effects as the result of carbon-monoxide poisoning. The characteristics of carbon monoxide are as follows:

• colorless;
  
• odorless; and
  
• poisonous.

Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

The following are sources of carbon monoxide:

• running car engines;
  
• burning charcoal; and
  
• appliances, if fueled with natural gas, oil, kerosene, wood, coal or liquefied petroleum.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

It is important to recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning because many people mistake the symptoms for flu. The symptoms include:

• headache;
  
• shortness of breath;
  
• dizziness;
  
• fatigue; and
  
• nausea and/or vomiting.

Copyright 2010 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.