CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

• CO accumulates in the blood and forms a toxic compound known as carboxyhemoglobin.

• Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the bloodstream to cells and tissues. Carbon monoxide attaches itself to hemoglobin and displaces the oxygen that the body organs need.

• Carbon monoxide molecules attach to red blood cells 200 times faster than oxygen, therefore Carboxyhemoglobin can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion and irritability. CO poisoning can cause loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death.

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