Do gas leaks in house cause carbon monoxide poisoning?

Answer 1

yes

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning-

As Reported recently by ABC NEWS

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Investigators looking into the deaths of two people at a home in rural Freeborn County say that at this point they have not ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of those deaths.

But with the weather we've been having so far this winter, the danger of CO poisoning is going up.

"Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas," explained a well known Fire Chief.

And there are potential sources all around us.

"Like your hot water heater, your stove, furnace, anything that has natural gas, propane, kerosene or anything like that," he added.

And if those appliances malfunction or aren't vented properly, the result can be carbon monoxide.

"Make sure they're serviced annually, your furnaces, your hot water heater, check your chimney," said the Fire Chief.

Part of the problem with CO poisoning is that you might mistake it's symptoms for the flu:

"You might feel sort of nauseous, get a headache, just feel kind of out of the ordinary," explained one expert."It's that time of the year anyway and you don't really put two and two together and then it's too late."

"Carbon monoxide accumulates in the body and pretty soon it can replace the oxygen in the blood, and that's when you have your fatalities," added the Fire Chief.

It could be an investment of a few dollars that helps cut into the estimated 500 people who die of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in

the US every year.

What Carbon Monoxide Does to You

Too much carbon monoxide in your blood can and will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. It is also a fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.

The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or Heart disease. The symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning are so easily mistaken for those of the common cold, flu or exhaustion, that proper diagnosis can be delayed. Because of this, be sure to see you physician about persistent, flu like symptoms, chronic fatigue or generalized depression. If blood levels of carbon monoxide are found to be high, treatment is important. Meanwhile, it makes good sense to put heating system inspection and maintenance on your annual get-ready-for winter list. Prevention is the best cure.

Using gas:

Natural gas is a clean burning fuel. The fumes produced contain high levels of water vapour leading to more condensation. The vapors also contain chlorides which results in the more corrosive conditions for the chimney flues. This means the chimney flue can either plug up completely or deteriorate quicker than normal.

Using oil:

Oil flues need to be cleaned and checked every year because deposits of soot may build up on the interior walls of the chimney. Soot is made up of carbon therefore if there is any amount of build-up, you are at a higher risk of having carbon monoxide in your home.

It is important to pay attention to your fireplace, no matter what you use to fuel it. Gas and oil may force carbon monoxide into your home. Carbon monoxide is known as the "silent killer" because the symptoms are similar to that of the flu and many people choose to ignore it. Serious effects can be caused by short-term exposure at high levels or by long-term exposure at low levels. . In either case, the situation can be quite serious, therefore all possible preventative measures should be taken to avoid unnecessary exposure.

How to fix the problem-

Quite simply, the best way to eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide leaking thru your chimney is to re-line the chimney creating a seamless vent up and out of your house. Chimney Liner Depot has all of the tools necessary for the homeowner to save thousands of dollars and do this project themselves. From how to videos on the website to their technical support department, Chimney Liner Depot has made it possible for tens of thousands of homeowners to not only protect their family, but do it in a cost effective way.

Answer 2

Gas leaks in a house can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if the gas being leaked is natural gas or propane, which can emit carbon monoxide when burned. It is important to have gas appliances properly installed and maintained to prevent leaks and ensure ventilation in the home to avoid this dangerous situation.