Carbon Monoxide Attorney
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is colorless, tasteless, odorless, flammable, and highly toxic to living things. Its properties make carbon monoxide difficult for humans to sense, and even small amounts of the gas can cause serious harm or death. Carbon monoxide can be formed in oxygen, is generated in stoves, furnaces, and gas appliances, and is present in the exhaust of vehicle engines.
Scientists believe that carbon monoxide is one of the causes of global warming and the greenhouse effect. However, the gas is not only dangerous to the environment. Carbon monoxide poisoning can harm humans and is caused by inhaling high amounts of the gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, with some of the beginning symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
When someone is exposed to an unsafe amount of carbon monoxide, they may suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning. The gas decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood and contributes to acute hypoxic injury. Carbon monoxide poisoning often causes long-lasting neurological problems in victims.
It is imperative that people who suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning receive access to fresh air immediately. Depending on the severity of poisoning, artificial respiration may need to be administered. Carbon monoxide poisoning can take hold of a victim quickly and without warning, causing many serious health risks.
Carbon Monoxide Death
Every year, more than 2,000 Americans die from carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer due to its high toxicity and imperceptibility to humans. Death is caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, early symptoms of which include headache, nausea, dizziness, and convulsions.
Carbon monoxide death is the result of oxygen starvation and carbon monoxide replacing oxygen in the blood of the victim. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and penetrates the body quickly. Although carbon monoxide detectors are used in dangerous areas, even these devices are not foolproof and cannot always prevent carbon monoxide death.
Defective Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon monoxide detectors monitor the levels of carbon monoxide in a given area. By alerting people when these levels become unsafe, carbon monoxide detectors have saved many lives over the years. However, defective carbon monoxide detectors have caused many preventable tragedies.
There are many conditions that may result in a carbon monoxide detector being defective. In some cases, the devices have been poorly built and proven ineffective at detecting dangerous carbon monoxide levels. Additionally, defective carbon monoxide detectors may be located in an inefficient area of a building or go untested for unsafe periods of time. Carbon monoxide poisoning or death may be the end result of such oversights.
