COSA Carbon Monoxide Awareness

Easy to read guide for understanding carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards.

Poisoning from carbon monoxide (referenced by the chemical symbol CO) can go undetected though a person might be experiencing symptoms everyday. We are not all of equal health so it is vital we all have gainful knowledge about what CO is, how it is formed, how it gets to where it is breathed in and how we can reduce exposures. CO can come from common unburned hydrocarbon fuels (referenced by the chemical symbols C & H).

These fuels include gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood, charcoal and similarly familiar products.

Carbon monoxide is a poison

It is often referenced as “The Silent killer” in that CO is odorless, tasteless and invisible. It is very important to know that some common odors also contain harmful or…