Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a toxic colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is produced as a product of incomplete combustion of fuels.

Some of our most common questions about outdoor air quality are answered below. If you have a question that isn't here, please let us know. Call the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Regional Office at (512) 339-2929. The TCEQ also has a Complaint Line: 1-888-777-3186 to report environmental violations or hazards. See similar questions...

Yes. Carbon monoxide can cause serious health problems and even death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in any home unless precautions are taken. See similar questions...

The best method of detection is to use a carbon monoxide detector in your home. It monitors the air for carbon monoxide and sounds an alarm if harmful levels are detected. See similar questions...

Yes, carbon monoxide is an oderless, colorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be caused by an improperly operating gas stove, gas water heater, oil or gas furnance, fire place or kerosense heater. If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, please exit your home and call 911 immediately. See similar questions...

Carbon monoxide monitors are useful, though I would not use them as a substitute for preventive actions listed above. They have been a problem due to the tendency of them to go off on bad smog days. The standard for these is just now changing (October 1995) to prevent this. Carbon monoxide monitors operate cumulatively; if they go off you don't know if you are being exposed to a long-term, moderate, non-lethal level or a situation immediately dangerous to life. See similar questions...

The effects are "insidious", that is, the exposure to even small concentration for the duration of a flight may cause reduced performance. See similar questions...

Keeping your carbon monoxide detector in good working order with fresh batteries is very important these days. I can't tell you how many times we have responded to a carbon monoxide detector going off only to find the batteries dead. But, if you hear your detector going off, call the fire department and get out of the house. It's better to be a bit embarrassed then dead. They will determine the source and contact the appropriate people to correct the situation. See similar questions...

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas. Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include: The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that approximately 200 people per year are killed by accidental CO poisoning with an additional 5000 people injured. See similar questions...

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquified petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO. Burning charcoal produces CO. Running cars produce CO. See similar questions...

You can protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning with a CO detector, a small, easy-to-install gadget that is available at most hardware stores. CO detectors usually cost less than $100, and some even combine the safety features of a smoke alarm with carbon monoxide detection. Unfortunately, most people don't know that such a simple device can alert them to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and prevent poisonings. See similar questions...

Clogged chimney, wood stove, wood and gas fireplace, automobile garage, gas and water heater, gas appliances, gas or kerosene heater, cigarette smoke. See similar questions...

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that a CO detector be placed on each floor of a residence. They should be placed near the ceiling and within five feet of gas fuelled appliances or near cooking or bathing areas. See similar questions...

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion and can be found inside buildings. For information contact EPA's Web Page For Indoor Air Quality and search for "carbon monoxide". For more information on Radon and to obtain a copy of radon-mitigation companies in your area, contact the Consumer Federation of America Foundation's Radon Fix-it Program at (800) 644-6999. The program is free. Mold is an indoor air quality problem and is not regulated by the District. See similar questions...

When Carbon Monoxide (CO) is inhaled, it combines with hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin carries the oxygen to every part of the body. The reaction of CO with hemoglobin causes the body's oxygen delivery to be greatly disturbed, leading to reduced oxygen to all parts of the body, commonly called oxygen starvation. From the FAA's Advisory Circular (AC 20-32B), "Oxygen starvation of the brain reduces a person's ability to reason and make decisions. See similar questions...

If you smell exhaust odors or begin to feel any of the symptoms previously mentioned, you should immediately assume Carbon Monoxide is present and should take the following precautions: Immediately shut off the cabin air heater and close any other openings that might convey the engine compartment air to the cabin. If you are flying, land at the first opportunity and ensure that any effects from CO are gone before further flight. See similar questions...

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which may not be immediately detectable, but prolonged exposure to CO gas will cause flu like symptoms including nausea, dizziness and headache and can result in death. Phone 911 and a Fire Unit will respond and test for the presence of Carbon Monoxide with a CO Meter. If high levels are detected fire personnel will locate the source, usually a faulty appliance, and secure it. They will attach a DANGER DO NOT OPERATE TAG to the unit. See similar questions...