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 several ways CO can quickly progress from a low-level environmental concern to 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 (think attached garage, especially in combination with a keyless ignition vehicle). 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. It’s important to know how to keep yourself and your family safe.

The lethal consequences of CO in engine exhaust is tragically illustrated by the hundreds of persons who die each year from CO poisoning caused by a running vehicle inside a closed garage. Others die or become ill in homes with attached garages, while stranded in their car, or while driving or riding in a vehicle with a defective exhaust system.
~ T.H. Greiner, Ph.D., P.E., Iowa State University

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.
- Seveon James and Zahnya Hunter, both 20 — found dead in vehicle
- Ford Explorer Owners Say Their SUVs are Making Them Sick

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.
- Man and Dog Die from CO Poisoning while Cooking in Van
- Mom Raising Awareness about CO after 20-year-old Son Dies in Truck
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 and be alert to the limitations of your vehicle’s ability to safeguard you

Learn more:

Save a life – share this information with your family and friends

Additional references:

Sources of information referenced on this page include: NHTSA, Iowa State University, CDC