Extreme exposure can cause convulsions, unconsciousness, or heart and lung failure. Prolonged exposure can cause brain damage or death. Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. One reason is that carbon monoxide has no smell, no color and no taste. You can' t tell its there unless you have a carbon monoxide alarm, or unless you start feeling symptoms of CO poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a natural by-product of incomplete combustion.
What makes carbon monoxide dangerous is the amount present in the air, and the length of time you are exposed to it. Fuel-burning appliances, like gas furnaces, stoves and water heaters, wood burning fireplaces, or kerosene heaters can all produce carbon monoxide. If the appliances are in proper working order, and there is a continuous supply of fresh air being exchanged through your home, the amount of CO produced is not life-threatening. CO poisoning happens when something goes wrong. An appliance can break down or get misadjusted.