Carbon Monoxide – What is it and How to Avoid this Lethal Assassin

Posted by jacksons mot centre on July 29th, 2019

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a fatal gas capable of causing severe neurological damage in just a few minutes of its release. There have been multiple cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in cars, which have been known to be lethal. Absence of colour and odour decreases the chance of its deduction by a large number, and by the time you notice it, you might be late. Centres for Disease Control has recorded 50,000 patients being hospitalised and 430 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Best way to avoid something that is undetectable is to avoid its exposure in the first place.

Why is it Lethal?

When you inhale, oxygen from the air binds with the red blood cells, which then carries it to different parts of your body. In return, while exhaling, you free your red blood cells of carbon dioxide so that they can take oxygen to different tissues again.

Carbon monoxide is the same for blood that sugar is for ants. It is 200 times more sweet for the haemoglobin in your blood than oxygen is. The ability to carry oxygen to different tissues of your body can be rapidly lost when exposed to carbon monoxide.

The first symptoms of this lethal assassin are nausea and headache, but prolonged exposure can lead to severe tissue damage. A dense concentration of the gas can lead to unconsciousness even before you can notice any other symptoms. This is why exposure to this gas should be avoided in the first place.

Place of Origin in Your Car

The engine of your car works by changing potential energy into kinetic energy in petrol or diesel fuel through internal combustions. This process also releases a lot of harmful gases that are released by the exhaust. Inert gases like nitrogen and non-toxic gas like water vapour are some of the gases released.

Some other exhaust gases like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides can be kryptonite to humans. While your car mostly releases harmless gases, it is responsible for the release of the deadly carbon monoxide in the atmosphere as well.

Cars with a good exhaust system release carbon monoxide in such a way that it quickly disappears to safe levels. Any damage to this system and things can go out of hand very quickly.

What does the Exhaust and Emissions Control do?

The amount of carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere is very less than what is actually produced in the engine. This reduction is done by the emissions control, which was introduced in the 1970s. It is being refined ever since for better performance. This the reason that classic cars are still known for more carbon monoxide emission than any car sold now.

Whenever there is a breach in the working of the emissions control system, the computer will detect something wrong and the “Check Engine” light on your dashboard will light on. This is one of the reasons why one should check why the light is on regardless of your engine working effortlessly.

Any damage to the emissions system will lead to a much higher concentration of carbon monoxide in the exhaust than usual. A catalytic converter has been known to reduce the amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons up to 90%. Leaks in the exhaust system before the catalytic converter can lead to seepage of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide into the passenger cabin.

How to notice a leak?

Maintaining exhaust and emissions control is a good idea to avoid carbon monoxide leaks. Adding a carbon monoxide detector reduces the risk of the gas going undetected by a large amount. Originally designed for home or office use, the same detector can be used in your car as well. Connection to a 12-volt accessory outlet or battery power is required for the automotive carbon monoxide detector to work efficiently. The detectors are for home or office use; hence, there is a chance that the detectors fail to handle the temperature and humidity changes that take place in a car in different weather conditions.

Another similar product designed to use in your car is a biomimetic or opto-chemical sensor. These are stick-on chips that don’t require batteries and simply change colour when exposed to carbon monoxide.

Precautionary Steps

1. Regularly check and get your exhaust repaired if required.

2. Regularly monitor the engine tuning and emissions system.

3. Do not drive cars with holes in the trunk or the floor.

4. Do not allow passengers to ride in a truck bed covered with a canopy.

5. Prefer not to run your car in an enclosed space, such as a garage.

6. Do not run your car if it’s partially covered with snow.

7. Restarting engine repeatedly can increase the amount of CO generated than usual.

8. Install a 12-volt or battery-powered carbon monoxide detector just to be extra sure.

Exposure to carbon monoxide should always be avoided, and the best way to do it is to maintain your car. For any assistance required related to exhaust repair Northampton, contact our ace experts at Jackson MOT.