Healthy Home Solutions Lesson 10: Combustion Gases

1. Healthy Home SolutionsLesson 10:Combustion Gases < presenter name here>

2. Knowledge: Describe health symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning • Comprehension: Identify locations in your home for carbon monoxide (CO) and other combustion gases. • Application: List proper locations and maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms. Identify when a professional should inspect the home for problems. Identify additional resources for families. Learning objectives

3. Indoor Air Quality • Asthma & Allergies • Mold & Moisture • Carbon Monoxide • Lead • Drinking Water • Hazardous Household Products • Pesticides • Home Safety Resource:Help yourself to a healthy home

4. Keep It: • Dry • Clean • Pest-free • Ventilated • Safe • Contaminant-free • Maintained Seven tips for keeping a healthy home

5. What types of combustion gases are found in homes? • Where are these gases found in homes? • What do they smell like? • How do we know if these gases are dangerous? What are combustion gases?

6. Combustion gases are from the burning of fuels (natural gas, propane, wood, oil, kerosene, and coal) in the home • These gases typically include: • Carbon monoxide (CO) • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) • Sulfur dioxide (SO2) • Particulates (soot, smoke) Combustion gases

7. Most of these gases are They cannot be seen or smelled! Carbon monoxide (CO) is especially dangerous in that families are often exposed to very harmful and sometimes lethal levels without knowing about it. Combustion gases INVISIBLE

8. The smell is from the un-combusted (un-burnt) gases from gas appliances, water heater, or furnace • The smell (sometimes like sulfur) is a chemical added by the gas company so that you are aware of a gas leak • If you smell gas or believe there is a gas leak, leave the house and call 9-1-1 immediately I smell gas!

9. Headaches • Dizziness • Disorientation • Blurry vision • Weakness • Nausea • Fatigue • Vomiting • Chest pains • Sleepiness Warning signs of carbon monoxide exposure

10. Carbon monoxide exposure is measured in parts per million in the surrounding air CO levels: (ppm) • 0 - 5: normal amount of carbon monoxide in a healthy home • 30+: most carbon monoxide detector alarms will sound • 30 - 70: flu-like symptoms • 70 - 150: headache, fatigue, nausea • 150 +: disorientation, unconsciousness, death Carbon monoxide is DANGEROUS

11. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure Ear, nose, and throat irritation Increased respiratory infections Shortness of breath Bronchitis

12. Ask yourself (and family) these questions: • Are you or your family’s health symptoms experienced by more than one family member? • Are symptoms more severe in family members who spend a lot of time in the home? • Are symptoms less severe when you or your family is away from home? • Are symptoms experienced by visitors to your home? • Always seek advice from your physician! Questions for you and your family

13. Carbon monoxide and other combustion gases are commonly found in these locations in a home: • Gas appliances: • Ovens • Ranges and stoves (cooktops) • Dryers • Furnaces, boilers, and water heaters • Fireplaces and wood burning stoves • Garages (car exhaust) • Space heaters Combustion gas sources

14. Carbon monoxide and other combustion gases are also found in these locations: • Space heaters • Grills and meat smokers • Lawnmowers, snowblowers, and gas-powered generators • Cigarette smoke Other combustion gas sources

15. Combustion gas sources

16. Some sources of carbon monoxide and other combustion gases may include: • Unvented appliances, furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, or space heaters • Appliances, furnaces, fireplaces, stoves, or space heaters not working properly or needing repair • Vehicles and gasoline powered items running in garages or inside the house • Charcoal grills or meat smokers running in garages or inside the house • Blocked chimneys and flues Combustion gas sources

17. Combustion gas and water heaters

18. Combustion gas, water heaters, and furnaces

19. Combustion gas and cooktops

20. Carbon monoxide and charcoal Two men trying to keep warm are found dead By Bill Bryan ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 12/04/2006 Two men died early Sunday, apparently of carbon monoxide poisoning, after they lighted a pile of charcoal briquettes in a metal mixing bowl to keep warm and then fell asleep, St. Louis police said.

21. In most cases, carbon monoxide and other combustion gases can be detected and checked by the following: • Proper installation, location, and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors (Alarms) in your Home • Yearly inspection of all gas appliances, furnaces, water heaters, stoves, ovens, and fireplaces by a qualified or licensed contractor Checking for combustion gas problems

22. Install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms inside your home to provide early warning of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. • CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. • Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. • CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and the sound of CO alarms Carbon monoxide detectors(alarms)

23. Installation methods of carbon monoxide detectors (alarms): • Wired to the home electrical system (often called hard-wired) with a battery backup (best installation) • Plugged into a home electrical outlet with a battery backup • Battery only (no other electrical input) Carbon monoxide detectors(alarms)

24. Types of carbon monoxide detectors (alarms): • Alarm only • Alarm and digital readout or CO in parts per million (ppm) • Sniffer (used by fire personnel or inspectors) Carbon monoxide detectors(alarms)

25. Carbon monoxide detectors (alarms)

26. Carbon monoxide detectors (alarms) should be tested monthly by pressing the “test” button • Not sure how to test the alarm? Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions • Regularly vacuum or dust the surface of the alarm to make sure there is no dust blocking the holes in the alarm • Replace the batteries each year; consider “fall back” (the end of daylight savings in autumn) Carbon monoxide detectors(alarms)

27. Carbon monoxide detectors (Alarms) should be replaced every 5 – 7 years • All detectors (alarms) have either a manufacturing date or expiration date Carbon monoxide detectors(alarms)

28. What to do when the CO alarm goes off (makes noise): • LEAVE THE HOME IMMEDIATELY! • Call 9-1-1 from outside the home. Report that your CO alarm is sounding • Wait outside the home for the fire department to arrive, find the source of the problem, and ventilate the home. • Go to the emergency room or urgent care if you are experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning When the alarm makes noise

29. Items typically included in a yearly inspection by a qualified or licensed contractor: • Proper functioning, repair, and cleaning of all gas appliances, furnace, water heater, stoves, ovens, dryers and other sources of CO and gases; combustion air openings are not blocked • No blockage in flues and all flue joints are sealed and not leaking gases. Flues are properly ventilating to the outside. • Burners in appliances have mostly blue flames instead of yellow. Yearly inspection

30. Items typically included in a yearly inspection by a qualified or licensed contractor: • CO and gas leakage in all gas appliances, furnace, water heater, stoves, ovens, dryers and other sources of CO and gases, are below required and at safe levels; No backdrafting • Chimneys and flues for fireplaces or wood stoves are intact and not falling apart • Chimney flues are properly ventilated to the outside • Smoke is not coming back into the room when the fireplace or stove is burning • Fireplace/stove doors are tightly fitted Yearly inspection

31. Items typically included in a yearly inspection by a qualified or licensed contractor: • Range hoods above gas stoves are installed and properly ventilated to the outside • Observe if homeowner is using unvented temporary heaters, indoor charcoal grills, or using appliances for space heating • Excessive moisture or condensation in home due to malfunctioning heating systems Yearly inspection

32. Items typically included in a yearly inspection by a qualified or licensed contractor: • Carbon monoxide and gasoline fumes are not entering the house from air leaks between the garage and the rest of the home • Temporary and permanent space heaters are ventilating to the outside • Rust, soot, or dirt is not observed on the furnace, boiler, flues, or water heater Yearly inspection

33. Between yearly inspections by a licensed or qualified contractor: • Observe conditions • Take precautions • Be aware of problems in areas that contribute to CO and combustion gases in the home For example: Between inspections

34. Look for flames in appliances, furnace, water heater, ovens, and ranges (cooktops) that are mostly yellow and not blue • Look for cracks, gaps, holes, or missing pieces in flues, chimneys, and vents • Check to make sure that flues, chimneys, and vents are connected and ventilate to the outside. Check that dampers are open when using fireplaces and wood stoves • Look for excessive humidity or condensation in the air or on windows What you can do between inspections

35. Look for rust or water streaking on chimneys and flues • Clean fireplace and wood stove chimneys and flues regularly (at least yearly) • Check for loose panels on furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and appliances • Verify monthly that carbon monoxide detectors (alarms) are working and free of dust • Check that generators are safe distances away from windows and doors to the house What you can do between Inspections

36. Check that generators are safe distances away from windows and doors to the house • Never use unvented gas appliances or charcoal grills in the home, attic, or crawlspace; do not use any gas camp stove or equipment inside the home • Never run any car, vehicle, or gas powered engine in a closed garage or other enclosed space • Never use ovens, cooktops, or grills for space heating What you can do between Inspections

37. When using gas appliances, furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, or stoves, follow manufacturer’s instructions for operation and routine maintenance • Do not try to alter, install, or repair appliances, fireplaces, stoves, furnaces, water heaters, or other combustion items • Do not place items against or block the air intake or exhaust of any gas appliance, water heater, or furnace What you can do between inspections

38. Carbon Monoxide Hotline: 1-800-438-4318 • US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Carbon monoxide (CO) http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html • US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – Carbon monoxide Information center http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/carbon-monoxide-Information-Center/ • American Lung Association – carbon monoxide indoors http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/carbon-monoxide-indoors.html • US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An Introduction to Indoor air quality (IAQ): Sources of combustion products http://www.epa.gov/iaq/combust.html • US Department of Housing and Urban Development - About carbon monoxide http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/healthy_homes/healthyhomes/carbonmonoxide Additional resources on CO and combustion gases

39. Thank you! Act today to eliminate dangerous levels of combustion gases in your home Questions? Comments?