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COMEAP statement on the health effects of indoor exposure to carbon monoxide in the UK

The Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants considered the report by the Institute for Environment and Health (IEH): "IEH Assessment on Indoor Air Quality in the Home (2): Carbon Monoxide" in October 1997. The Committee concluded:

Concentrations of carbon monoxide in UK homes with well maintained and properly functioning heating and cooking equipment and adequate ventilation are not likely to present a risk to health. In homes where equipment malfunctions, high levels may be produced and a serious risk of severe illness and death may then occur. In some homes concentrations of carbon monoxide may be such that, even in the absence of levels leading to obvious poisoning, the health of some groups is placed at risk. People falling into these groups include those with coronary artery disease, the elderly, the pregnant woman and the unborn child and some individuals suffering from anaemia. The need for further research into the mechanisms and effects of exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide is clear and the IEH report makes a number of recommendations which we endorse. The case for providing information on possible sources of carbon monoxide in the home, ways of avoiding exposure to undesirable concentrations and on how to recognise the effects of such exposure is clear.

Statement of Advice

Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odourless gas produced when a wide range of fuels are burnt. The capacity of even low concentrations of carbon monoxide to damage health, sometimes permanently, means that all appliances capable of producing carbon monoxide must be properly installed and maintained. The early symptoms of exposure include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, pains in the chest and sometimes stomach upsets. Some people, for example those with heart disease, are at increased risk of effects and should take particular care that they are not exposed. Carbon monoxide monitors can play a useful part in ensuring that any excess production of carbon monoxide indoors is recognised, allowing the fault to be rectified. However, their value is limited to detecting high concentrations of carbon monoxide and they may not alert at concentration levels which may produce some chronic or subacute effects, due to their manner of activation.

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