Vehicles
Most of us are exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) from gas-powered vehicles every day. We tend to hear about this type of exposure mostly in relation to outdoor air pollution. However, there are a number of ways CO can quickly progress from being a low level environmental concern to being an immediate threat to life. CO is an invisible, odorless and non-irritating gas that is present at extremely high levels in car exhaust and can kill within minutes. CO can poison the air both inside and outside of a vehicle, and even the air in a home (drivers of keyless ignition vehicles should be especially aware of this danger). Most vehicles do not come equipped with CO detection, which means there are no warnings when CO reaches dangerous levels and the engine will not shut off on its own. Here are some important things to know and ways to stay safe.
BE IDLE AWARE
Be aware inside your car:
- Exhaust leak – CO can enter the passenger area of a car as a result of a leak in the exhaust system. This type of leak can result from damage to your car or failing to maintain the exhaust system. It can also be the result of a manufacturing defect.
- Blocked tailpipe – A tailpipe can be blocked by snow, water or mud… or even being up against a solid structure. This can result in CO backing up into the passenger area at levels high enough to cause death in just a few minutes.
- Portable gas equipment – Using portable equipment such as gas heaters can quickly poison the air inside a vehicle.
- Stay safe:
- Know how to tell if your car has an exhaust leak
- Never use gas powered tools/equipment inside an enclosed space
- Carry a portable CO alarm with you
Be aware outside your car:
- Warming up/running the car in the garage (DON’T DO IT – always back out as soon as you start the engine)
- Stay safe:
- CO alarms are lifesavers – install them on every level of your home and near all sleeping areas
- NEVER IDLE INSIDE A GARAGE – EVEN WITH THE DOOR OPEN
KEYLESS IGNITION VEHICLES
Keyless vehicles pose a particular danger with regard to CO. Most of these vehicles were manufactured without critical safeguards in place to protect people from scenarios in which the vehicle can inadvertently be left running or inadvertently be switched on while in an attached garage. If this happens, deadly levels of CO from the car’s exhaust can fill a home. Although car exhaust has an odor, CO does not – it is undetectable without the aid of a CO alarm (recommended to be on every level of a home and near all sleeping areas) . Many people have been injured or killed in this way. Exposure to high levels of CO can quickly result in incapacitation and/or unconsciousness preventing escape to fresh air.
What can you to do to stay safe?
- Install CO alarms in your home
- Understand how your keyless ignition works (see video below) and be alert to the limitations of your vehicle’s ability to safeguard you
Learn more:
Deadly Convenience: Keyless Cars and Their Carbon Monoxide Toll
Keyless Ignitions Linked to More Than Two Dozen Deaths
Deaf Community Urges Lawmakers to Pass Bill Preventing CO Deaths
Scripps Keyless Ignition Investigation
His Keyless Car Killed Him While He Slept
** Save a life – share this information with your family and friends **
Additional references:
CO Poisoning in Children Riding in the Back of Pickup Trucks
Residential CO Poisoning from Motor Vehicles
CO Exposure From a Vehicle in a Garage
Read more about CO here
Sources of information referenced on this page include: NHTSA, Iowa State University, CDC