How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? Attention is needed in daily life, chemical production, and the transportation of hazardous materials

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In winter, there are quite a number of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. This occurs because the use of coal, charcoal, and gas water heaters can all generate carbon monoxide, leading to poisoning. So how can carbon monoxide poisoning be prevented? What should be done for first aid in case of poisoning? Let’s take a look together. http://p0.itc.cn/images01/20201210/0d4de14e54bc43fe89330edf8f38a2c2.png What is carbon monoxide poisoning? It can occur in environments with poor ventilation, such as homes or workplaces, as a result of the gas produced by coal stoves, leaks from liquefied gas pipelines, industrial processes that generate gas, or exposure to carbon monoxide in mines. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas; when inhaled, it reduces the oxygen level in the blood, leading to damage primarily to the central nervous system, as well as various complications. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide poisoning can be acute or chronic; when people talk about carbon monoxide poisoning, they usually refer to acute cases. Its symptoms and manifestations are related to the degree of poisoning, the patient’s previous health status, and their activity level at the time of poisoning. What are the specific symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Patients with mild poisoning may experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, insomnia, decreased vision, tinnitus, nausea, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, and shock. In moderate poisoning, in addition to the symptoms of mild poisoning, symptoms such as a cherry-red color of the skin and mucous membranes, excessive sweating, irregular heart rate, irritability, slowness of movement, drowsiness, and coma become more severe. Severe poisoning led to a coma. Paroxysmal tonic spasms, decreased muscle tone, pale or cyanotic complexion, low blood pressure, dilated pupils, respiratory paralysis, and even death. Survivors who are rescued may suffer from severe complications and sequelae. http://p4.itc.cn/images01/20201210/6dd044e889524a07a4b56b2d28191940.png Sequelae include neurasthenia, Parkinson’s disease, hemiplegia, hemianopia, aphasia, dysphagia, intellectual disability, etc. Delayed encephalopathy due to acute carbon monoxide poisoning: After emerging from coma and having their consciousness return to normal, patients develop neuropsychiatric symptoms in the brain again after 2 to 30 days. How to provide scientific treatment after poisoning? Immediately open windows for ventilation to cut off the source of polluted gases, quickly transfer the patient to a place with fresh and circulating air, have them rest in bed, stay quiet, and keep warm. Ensure the airways are clear; for those who are unconscious, turn their head to one side to prevent choking from vomit being inhaled. For those who are comatose or having seizures, an ice pack can be placed on the head to reduce cerebral edema. How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning? ◆ Ensure good ventilation by opening windows at least twice a day to allow fresh air in. ◆Heating coal stoves should be equipped with chimneys, and the chimney structure must be airtight and well-ventilated to prevent smoke leakage or backflow. Be sure to check that the stove is properly sealed before going to bed. ◆Residents who use stoves for heating must wait until the coal is completely burned out before going to bed, and they should also ensure good ventilation of the stove and the heating stove. ◆Install a gas alarm if conditions permit. What issues need to be considered when treating patients? ◆ When performing first aid on patients at the scene, rescuers should be careful to avoid self-poisoning; if necessary, they must wear effective protective masks. ◆Under no circumstances should folk remedies such as pouring vinegar, cold water, or using grounding techniques be applied to patients, to avoid irreparable consequences. In addition to taking precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning in daily life and chemical manufacturing, drivers who work in transportation sectors and are on the road for long periods should also be aware of this issue. Car engines consume a large amount of oxygen when operating, and when the engine runs for extended periods, a lack of oxygen can lead to the emission of carbon monoxide. It is very dangerous for drivers to sleep with the air conditioner on in the car, especially in garages or basements, where poor air circulation leads to higher concentrations of carbon monoxide and increases the risk. http://p3.itc.cn/images01/20201210/81abab836ac74b9687a837c18d94ad24.png When a car is in motion, the carbon monoxide produced is reduced or eliminated due to the rapid convection of air. But at idle, even outdoors and in still air, carbon monoxide will accumulate around the car, with the concentration increasing over time. At this time, if your car is set to external air circulation for the air conditioning, carbon monoxide from the outside can be drawn into the vehicle in large quantities, causing carbon monoxide poisoning among the people inside. If one sleeps in the car with the windows closed and the air conditioning on for an extended period of time, and the carbon monoxide concentration inside the car reaches a certain level, it can cause unconsciousness and brain hypoxia; in severe cases, this can lead to death. In winter, when it’s cold and delivery drivers are on the road for long periods of time, they keep the windows closed and turn on the heating. At such times, it’s necessary to open the windows from time to time to allow fresh air to circulate inside the vehicle. If you are tired from driving, open the windows slightly while taking a break, so as to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning while sleeping in the car. If you feel dizzy or unwell while driving, open the windows promptly to ensure good air circulation inside the vehicle. The main content of this article comes from the Internet.