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CO displaces oxygen in the blood stream and once it bonds with the blood cells, it is hard to dislodge. A person with an overdose of CO will die sometimes even if they are given pure oxygen because the pure oxygen has nothing to bond to and be carried to the body cells. The blood cells accept CO more readily than oxygen and hang on to it longer.

CO2 is also dangerous, but in a different way. CO2 does not react with the body as does CO, but if the concentration of CO2 is too high, then that means that not enough oxygen is available. This can also kill you -- but the effect is more like holding your breath than breathing a toxic chemical. Too much CO2 isn't bad by itself, it's just that it usually goes along with not enough O2, which is bad. This commonly affects underwater swimmers for instance who build up too much CO2 in their bloodstream as they swim underwater, causing them to pass out under water and drown. You should NEVER hyperventilate before swimming a long distance under water -- my father nearly drowned this way!

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6mo ago

Carbon monoxide is more dangerous than carbon dioxide because it binds more easily to hemoglobin in our blood, preventing oxygen from being carried throughout the body. This can lead to oxygen deprivation in vital organs, causing serious harm or death. In contrast, carbon dioxide is a byproduct of normal metabolism and is not as inherently toxic as carbon monoxide.

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Q: Why carbon monoxide gas is more dangerous than carbon dioxide gas?
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Which is dangerous to breathe carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is more dangerous to breathe than carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning as it binds to hemoglobin in our blood, reducing the ability to carry oxygen to vital organs. On the other hand, high levels of carbon dioxide can cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, but it is not as immediately toxic as carbon monoxide.


How burning carbon in air can lead o the formation of carbon monoxide?

The formation of carbon dioxide. Burning coal that releases only carbon dioxide means the coal is completely burnt and more energy is produced. Carbon monoxide is released when the combustion process is incomplete.


What do you get when you mix one carbon atom with two oxygen atoms?

What you mean is "What is the product of a reaction in which one carbon atom bonds to one oxygen atom?" The answer is carbon monoxide, or CO, which is extremely dangerous in large quantities. It is one of the by-products of incomplete combustion along with carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon (C) and water (H2O). When you breath in carbon monoxide, it attaches to your red blood cells and does not allow them to pick up oxygen.


Do you exhale carbon monoxide if you smoke?

No, when you smoke, you primarily exhale carbon dioxide, not carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is mainly inhaled when smoking and is absorbed into the bloodstream.


A list of harmful gases?

Some harmful gases include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds. These gases can cause respiratory issues, environmental damage, and contribute to climate change.

Related questions

Why is carbon monoxide more dangerous than carbon dioxide?

Carbon monoxide is more dangerous than carbon dioxide because it binds more strongly to hemoglobin in our blood, reducing its ability to transport oxygen. This can lead to tissue damage and even death. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a byproduct of our body's natural processes and is easily expelled through respiration.


Is there more carbon in carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide?

There is proportionally more carbon in carbon monoxide than there is in carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide, CO, has a one-to-one ration of carbon to oxygen. Carbon dioxide, CO2, has a one-to-two ration of carbon to oxygen.


Which is dangerous to breathe carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is more dangerous to breathe than carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide can cause poisoning as it binds to hemoglobin in our blood, reducing the ability to carry oxygen to vital organs. On the other hand, high levels of carbon dioxide can cause discomfort and breathing difficulties, but it is not as immediately toxic as carbon monoxide.


Why do old cars give more carbon monoxide?

Old cars give off more carbon dioxide because they do not have catalytic converters. Catalytic converters act as catalysts, converting dangerous substances such carbon monoxide into harmless compounds.


Why is carbon dioxide from your body?

Carbon Dioxide is toxic in large concentrations. Mild symptoms include nausea and muscle cramp, but carbon dioxide poisoning can be fatal in extreme cases.Not to be confused with carbon monoxide poisoning, which is harder to detect and a lot more dangerous.


Is Carbon Monoxide or Sulfur Dioxide more deadly?

Carbon monoxide is more deadly than sulfur dioxide. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal in high concentrations by interfering with the body's ability to carry oxygen. On the other hand, sulfur dioxide typically causes respiratory issues but is less immediately life-threatening compared to carbon monoxide.


How burning carbon in air can lead o the formation of carbon monoxide?

The formation of carbon dioxide. Burning coal that releases only carbon dioxide means the coal is completely burnt and more energy is produced. Carbon monoxide is released when the combustion process is incomplete.


Is carbon monoxide less harmfull then carbon dioxide?

Carbon monoxide is more harmful than carbon dioxide because it is a poison that can bind to hemoglobin in our blood, reducing its ability to carry oxygen. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is a natural byproduct of respiration and is not toxic in normal atmospheric concentrations.


What do you get when you mix one carbon atom with two oxygen atoms?

What you mean is "What is the product of a reaction in which one carbon atom bonds to one oxygen atom?" The answer is carbon monoxide, or CO, which is extremely dangerous in large quantities. It is one of the by-products of incomplete combustion along with carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon (C) and water (H2O). When you breath in carbon monoxide, it attaches to your red blood cells and does not allow them to pick up oxygen.


What is worse carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide?

Both carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are harmful to human health and the environment, but carbon monoxide is generally considered more dangerous because it is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause asphyxiation. Carbon dioxide, while a greenhouse gas, is less immediately toxic to humans in typical concentrations.


What are the formula of chemistry?

H2O is water. CO2 is carbon dioxide. CO is carbon monoxide. There are tons more.


How do carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide differ?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials, whereas carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas that is part of the Earth's carbon cycle. CO is colorless and odorless, posing a significant health hazard, while CO2 is a greenhouse gas responsible for climate change.