Environmental Services Program

Carbon Monoxide

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is harmful when inhaled. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as gasoline, wood, coal, and oil. Because it is difficult to detect without specialized equipment, CO can be especially dangerous in enclosed spaces where it can accumulate to harmful levels.

How is Carbon Monoxide Formed or Where is it Found?

Carbon monoxide is primarily produced by human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels. Common sources of CO emissions include:

• Motor vehicles
• Industrial processes
• Power plants
• Residential heating systems (e.g., wood stoves, furnaces)
• Wildfires and biomass burning

In urban areas, CO levels tend to be higher due to vehicle traffic and industrial activity. However, it can also reach rural and tribal lands, including the LTBB community, through wind transport from nearby regions or from local heating sources, particularly in colder months.

Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide

CO exposure is dangerous because it interferes with the body’s ability to transport oxygen. When inhaled, carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in the blood, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be carried throughout the body. This can cause symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• In severe cases, CO poisoning can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

Figure 1: Carbon Monoxide: How to spot the dangers
Source: Retrieved from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Dehart Plumbing Heating & Cooling, https://dehartplumbing.com/blog/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-2/

Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions like heart or respiratory diseases, are at a higher risk. For LTBB community members, exposure to carbon monoxide can exacerbate existing health disparities, especially for those who may be engaged in traditional activities, such as heating their homes with wood or other combustion sources. Tribal members living in rural areas with limited access to medical care may be more susceptible to undetected CO exposure.

Environmental Effects of Carbon Monoxide

While carbon monoxide is less directly harmful to the environment than some other air pollutants, its presence can still have secondary effects:

• CO can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone by reacting with other pollutants, exacerbating smog formation.
• High CO levels can interfere with plant growth, as it reduces the availability of oxygen in the atmosphere, potentially harming sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and forests that are vital to the LTBB community’s cultural practices and the local wildlife.

For the LTBB community, these environmental impacts can disrupt food sources, including plants and animals, that are critical to traditional hunting and fishing activities.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Carbon Monoxide Pollution?

Reducing CO pollution requires efforts at both the individual and systemic levels:

• Government Efforts: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets air quality standards for CO and regulates emissions from vehicles and industrial sources. Tribal governments, like LTBB, can work to enforce local regulations and implement clean energy solutions to reduce CO emissions.
• Individual Actions: Community members can take steps to reduce CO exposure and pollution by:
  • Regularly maintaining home heating systems to ensure proper ventilation.
  • Using alternative heating methods such as electric or gas stoves, which produce less CO.
  • Reducing vehicle emissions by driving less, carpooling, or using public transportation.
  • Being mindful of CO buildup in poorly ventilated spaces, such as garages and homes, particularly during winter when heating systems are in use.

By following recommendations such as those found in local air quality reports or tools like the AirNow App, LTBB community members can better protect themselves during high pollution events and work toward reducing overall CO emissions.

APA References List

Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Carbon monoxide’s impact on air quality. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/co-pollution

American Lung Association. (2020). Health effects of carbon monoxide. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/air

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Carbon monoxide poisoning. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/co

Hart, L. D. (2019, January 18). Carbon monoxide poisoning de Hart plumbing heating cooling HVAC. De Hart Plumbing Manhattan Wamego Junction City KS. https://dehartplumbing.com/blog/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-2/

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). Carbon monoxide poisoning: A serious threat. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/co

World Health Organization. (2010). Air quality guidelines: Global update 2005. Geneva: World Health Organization.