New Brunswickers have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Cases often include using a barbecue or generator indoors or leaking appliances.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that is produced during combustion. Any fuel-burning device that is not adequately vented and maintained can be a potential source of CO, including:

• Fireplaces, wood and coal stoves, space heaters
• Gas appliances (e.g. furnaces, ranges, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers)
• Charcoal grills, camp stoves
• Vehicle exhaust fumes
• Gas-powered lawn mowers and tools
• Power tools
• Cigarettes and second-hand smoke

Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants and people with anemia or a history of respiratory or heart disease. Breathing in low levels of carbon monoxide can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease.

At low concentrations CO can cause:

• Dizziness/confusion, headaches, chest pain

At high concentrations, CO2 can cause:

• Loss of consciousness, coma, death

Breathing in higher levels of carbon monoxide causes flu-like symptoms such as:

• Headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, feeling disoriented.

At very high levels, carbon monoxide causes loss of consciousness and death.

To prevent CO poisoning:

• Install a CO alarm near bedrooms
• Clean chimneys regularly
• Don’t use barbecue or power generator indoors
• Don’t idle car or run gas-powered equipment in garage
• Maintain stoves/fireplaces and have your furnace checked annually

More Information:

• Health Canada