Free Essay

Environmental Issue Carbon Monoxide

In:

Submitted By tayyokat
Words 761
Pages 4
ENVIORMENTAL ISSUES REPORT
Carbon Monoxide
For my report, I was given carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly less dense than air. It is toxic to humans when encountered in concentrations above about 35 ppm, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal biological functions. In the atmosphere, it is spatially variable and short lived, having a role in the formation of ground-level ozone. Carbon monoxide is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. Carbon monoxide from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. One example of building carbon monoxide poisoning is starting your car in a closed garage and letting the fumes build up in the garage, and it could possibly kill or injure you.
All of these sources can contribute to a CO problem in the home. If a home is vented properly and is free from appliance malfunctions, air pressure fluctuations or airway blockages, carbon monoxide will most likely be safely vented to the outside. But in today's "energy efficient" homes this is frequently not the case. Tightly constructed/sealed homes can trap CO-polluted air in a home year-round. Furnace heat exchangers can crack, vents can become blocked, inadequate air supply for combustion appliances can cause conditions known as back drafting or reverse stacking, which force contaminated air back into the home. Exhaust fans on range hoods, clothes dryers and bathroom fans can also pull combustion products into the home.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector per household, near the sleeping area. Additional detectors on every level of a home and in every bedroom provide extra protection. Choose an Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) listed detector that sounds an audible alarm. You can choose a model that is wired to your home's electrical system, a model which plugs into a standard electrical outlet, or a battery-operated model. Battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors continue to protect even in the event of a power outage. Hardwired AC models, although more costly and difficult to install, reduce the expense of battery replacement but do not offer protection during power outages. Hardwired AC models with battery back-up offer double protection.
The new law requires only the property owner to assume legal responsibility for installing the carbon monoxide detectors and ensuring that they are working. When you have decided on the house, there will be a house inspection, the cost of a carbon monoxide detector inspection will be $30, which will be the same price as a smoke detector inspection beginning on January 1, 2002. However, a town or city may charge an additional fee of $30 if the detectors must be reinspected due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring, or the owner's failure to keep his inspection appointment.
The law applies to existing, occupied single-family homes and other residential buildings which are transferred on or after January 1, 2002. The law will also apply to new single-family homes and other residential buildings with gas utilities which are constructed or converted for residential occupancy on or after January 1, 2002. Residential buildings which are required to have a fire alarm system are exempt.
What kind of carbon monoxide detectors must be installed? Carbon monoxide detector emit an audible signal with a minimum rating of eighty-five decibels at a distance of ten feet and have a "power on" indicator. The detectors must be listed and/or approved by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Factory Mutual, or some other nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the state fire marshal and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.
SB-183 requires all existing single-family dwelling units to install Carbon Monoxide Detectors. By January 1, 2013 all other existing dwelling units must be in compliance. A violation will be punishable by a maximum fine of $200.00 for each offense. However, Carbon Monoxide Detectors are not a pre-condition of sale. The Seller(s) must disclose on page 1 of the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) if the home does not have the detectors. It should also be noted that all Seller(s) prior to close of Escrow must install smoke detectors in their home. SB-183 does not change this requirement.

Sources;;

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/carbonmonoxide/

http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/carbon-monoxide-indoors.html

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Carbon Monoxide

...Peterson Bio 21 Poffenroth April 27, 2012 Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide (CO in its molecular formula) highly toxic gas composed of an atom of carbon and an atom of oxygen chemically bonded together. Although toxic, CO is very useful in the development of a plethora of chemicals used in various industries, including automotive, construction, chemical agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, plastics, and textile industries. Carbon monoxide is predominantly formed from the incomplete combustion of materials having carbon. CO, otherwise known as the “silent killer”, is an invisible, non-smelling, and tasteless gas that potentially in high levels, can cause death in humans. There has been a lot of emphasis on the dangers of carbon monoxide throughout the past decade. Carbon monoxide has been present on this planet since the day that the world was formed. Some speculate that it came about either through volcanic activity or by natural fires taking place. It became a real serious health hazard once the human race had first learned to build a fire. In the present day, fire is utilized vigorously in many things ranging from the comfortable fireplace in a family’s home to sophisticated industrial processes such as the burning of fossil fuels. Each of these products can potentially produce toxic amounts of carbon monoxide if the combustion process is not precise or controlled throughout the progression. Humanoid sources of carbon monoxide include a number of fuel-burning domestic appliances...

Words: 1363 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Environmental Essay Co2

...Environmental Toxin Essay Carbon is the spine on which all life is supported and is easily one of the most abundant and versatile elements in existence. Carbon is one of the most abundant elements in the human body, second only to oxygen; without it, neither humans, nor any other living thing could exist. Every living thing is dependent on carbon, so why is it that the difference of one little molecule of oxygen can be so deadly? If carbon dioxide is being expelled from our bodies twenty four hours a day, why is it that carbon monoxide can literally take us out of the rat race? Is that one little oxygen molecule really that important? You can bet your grandmother's nickers it is. Carbon dioxide is the natural bi product of human respiration and although prolonged exposure or inhalation can be harmful, it is rarely fatal; while carbon monoxide results from an incomplete combustion of carbon based matter due to an inadequate supply of oxygen (Prockop, Chichkova). Carbon monoxide is known as the silent assassin; it is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and for a while after exposure it will not be irritating. The gas is readily inhaled, just as any other gas and unless you are in the presence of some method of detecting it, you would never know it was there. As little as 50 parts per million of carbon monoxide is toxic to humans, but significant exposure can be fatal and the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning arise after a decent amount of exposure and time...

Words: 2156 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Logistics Company Activities Towards Environmental Issues.

...Logistics Overview: Logistics company activities towards environmental issues. Nowadays, the environmental issues are getting worse day by day. As example, the gas such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide which been given out by the logistics company truck will increase the temperature to rise and lead to greenhouse effect. As customer is more concern about the quality of the product and environmental issues compare to the price of the product. They rather pay more in order to get a better quality product and also support the environment. But, some of the logistics company will take this advantage by charging higher price than the normal price. This shows that logistics activities play an important role in controlling the environmental issues. In this case study, the ethical dilemma will be on the logistics manager. There are only two options for the logistics manager to choose from which is shareholders or the society. The decisions that made by the manager will have a direct impact to the environment. If the primary stakeholders are shareholders, their primary goal will be profit maximization. On the other hand, if the primary stakeholder is the society, environmental issues such as greenhouse effect will be control and green service in a reasonable price will provide to the society. Moreover, there will be individual factors that will influence individual on ethical decision making. The individual factors include age, gender, national, cultural, education, employment...

Words: 647 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Resaech Papper

...damages the natural environment, into the atmosphere. Pollutants in the air are a serious environmental issue today. We as an industrial society have become far too familiar with terms like smog, radon, lead, asbestos, ozone, and carbon monoxide. We have also seen on the news, read in the newspaper, or experienced in our own lives some of the harmful consequences that result from these pollutants. Air pollution has long been recognized as a threat to human health as well as to the Earth's ecosystems. Worldwide air pollution is responsible for large numbers of deaths and cases of respiratory disease. While major stationary sources are often identified with air pollution, the greatest source of emissions is actually mobile sources, mainly automobiles. Gases such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to global warming, have recently gained recognition as pollutants by climate scientists, while they also recognize that carbon dioxide is essential for plant life through photosynthesis. Federal involvement began in 1970 with the introduction of the Clean Air Act. In the nearly 30 years it has been in effect it has undergone some changes, but the purpose has remained the same: " to establish and enforce air quality standards that protect public health with an adequate margin of safety" (Huebner and Chilton). The standards outlined in the Clean Air Act state that the "Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must promulgate secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)...

Words: 2039 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

...DANGERS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE ____________________ In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course Communication Arts II ____________________ By Julienne TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………….. II. NATURE OF SECONDHAND SMOKE…………………………………………….. III. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SECONDHAND SMOKE…………………….... A. Cotinine…………………………………………………………………………... B. Carcinogens………………………………………………………………………. 1. Carbon Monoxide……………………………………………………………… 2. Cyanide……………………………………………………………………….... IV. TYPES OF SECONDHAND SMOKE……………………………………………….. A. Mainstream Smoke………………………………………………………………… B. Sidestream Smoke…………………………………………………………………. C. Thirdhand Smoke………………………………………………………………….. V. EFFECTS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE……………………………………………. A. Cancers…………………………………………………………………………… 1. LungCancer………………………………………………………………….. 2. Breast Cancer ……………………………………………………………….. B. Effects in Cardiovascular System………………………………………………… 1. Coronary Heart Disease……………………………………………………… 2. Stroke…………………………………………………………………………. 3. Other Heart Disease………………………………………………………….. C. Effects in Respiratory System…………………………………………………….. 1. Asthma………………………………………………………………………... 2. Irritation of Respiratory Tract………………………………………………… D. Effects in Neurological System……………………………………………………. 1. Dementia………………………………………………………………………. E. Effects During Pregnancy…………………………………………………………. F. Effects to Children…………………………………………………………………...

Words: 3240 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Catalytic Converter

...goal is to keep the air-to-fuel ratio very close to the "stoichiometric" point, which is the calculated ideal ratio of air to fuel. Theoretically, at this ratio, all of the fuel will be burned using all of the oxygen in the air. [For petrol, the stoichiometric ratio is about 14.7 to 1, meaning that for each pound of fuel, 14.7 pounds of air will be burned. The fuel mixture actually varies from the ideal ratio quite a bit during driving. Sometimes the mixture can be "lean" (an air-to-fuel ratio higher than 14.7); and other times the mixture can be "rich" (an air-to-fuel ratio lower than 14.7).]  Most modern cars are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. "Three-way" refers to the three regulated emissions it helps to reduce - carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide molecules. The converter uses two different types of catalysts, a reduction catalyst and an oxidization catalyst. Both types consist of a ceramic structure coated with a metal catalyst, usually platinum, rhodium and/or palladium. The idea is to create a structure that exposes the maximum surface area of the catalyst to the exhaust stream, while also minimising the amount of catalyst required (they are very expensive).  There are three main types of structures used in catalytic converters - ceramic honeycomb, metal plate and ceramic beads (now almost obsolete) - the Scorpio like most cars today use a ceramic honeycomb structure.  CATALYTIC...

Words: 2870 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Environmental Hazards

...Pollution of indoor residential air is becoming more recognized as an environmental health risk in vulnerable populations such as infants. Infants spend an estimated 90 percent or more of time inside homes and or daycare agencies. This large amount of time spent indoors poses an even greater risk due to the increased exposure to home environmental risks such as lead, carbon monoxide, radon, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. Lead, a neurotoxin that affects both the central and peripheral nervous system. lead exposure effects IQ, cognition, attention, memory, learning disabilities, aggressive behavior, and delinquency. neurological impairments autoimmune reaction long term neuro-cognitive changes. Cardivascular injury Respiratory Illness Carbon monoxide (CO) cause serious health damages to the neurological and cardiovascular systems. Neurological symptoms such as fatigue, headache, confusion, and dizziness, High doses of CO exposure results in loss of consciousness, coma, neuropsychiatric and behavioral impairment, and death. * Exposure to pesticides include headache, dizziness, nausea, papillary constriction, and excessive perspiration and salivation. (CDC, 2007). * Severe exposures can result in muscle weakness, bronchospasms, convulsions, and death. Acute ingestion or inhalation exposure can result in asthma symptoms, neurological symptoms such as tremor, salivation, and seizures. Dermal exposure can also result in abnormal skin sensations...

Words: 403 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Essay On Indoor Air Pollution

...Indoor air pollution exists in various forms, some of the common pollutants ranging from carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide produced by the gas stoves in households, particulate matter to environmental tobacco smokes (ETS) and many more. For the past few years, there is scientific evidence that prove that the air inside our home or building is more polluted than outdoor air. In addition, the long-time exposure to these indoor pollution has increased the risk in health problems in human for example eye, mouth, throat irritation, asthma, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. Asbestos is one of the common indoor air pollutants that produced by damaged or deteriorating insulation, fireproofing and acoustical materials. When the asbestos is inhaled...

Words: 1138 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Pollution

...Pollution of the environment in general is an issue in the area that I live in. There seems to be a trend of pollution just in general by the population of people. There are traces of trash, chemicals dumped, waste not properly disposed of, and pollution in the air due to vehicles with improper emissions. Pollution like this can find its way into important resources like water supply, food supply, and the very air the population breathes. In this essay, I'm going to describe the issues of environmental pollution, and the problems that could be tied to them. Pollution of the environment is an issue that is an issue throughout the country. It is one of the greatest challenges to combat due to the fact that it takes the participation of all citizens in order to deal with the issue of environmental pollution. Some people are not even aware that environmental pollution could be the catalyst in many different diseases that some have come across. Unfortunately, what people don't know, they can not take action against because they do not understand the problem. When the subject of the environmental health comes up especially with regards to a small town, one of the main concerns that could come about is the quality of the water if there is pollution. Water is an essential source to all forms of life, so if it is polluted, that means that it has access to contaminate any forms of life. It should be said that the water quality is extremely important to human...

Words: 633 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Environmental Pollution

...Environmental Pollution Shakale Phipps SCI/256 June 9, 2014 Ricardo Altschul Environmental Pollution In such a chaotic world, there are many contributors to the environment’s pollution. The number one transportation source; the automobile is the leading cause in the air pollution. Fortunately, advanced fuel technologies can drastically change the reduction in air pollution. Today’s road runners create over one third of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides within the atmosphere and twenty percent of the global warming pollution. Air pollution like such can cause major problems for the environment as well as for human health. With the creation of hybrid and electrical cars, the reduction of air pollution can be cut in half within the next twenty years by the decline of use in U.S. oil. People these days do not realize the significant role the automobile plays in our lives. With a car you can travel to work, school, business meetings, or even across country for that matter. In many urban, Southern California cities, air pollution has been a major issue since historical times. Yes, there were grievances about smoke in ancient Rome. The use of coal throughout the centuries caused neighboring cities to become very smoky places. Combined with the smoke, mass applications of sulfur dioxide were produced. With the mixture of sulfur dioxide and smoke, it created the “foggy” streets of ancient, London’s backdrop. Think of Sherlock Holmes. Similar situations occurred in...

Words: 921 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Air Pollution In Los Angeles: A Case Study

...Californians and the Environment showed that 45% of inhabitants in Los Angeles consider air tainting to be a "noteworthy issue", and 47% acknowledge that the airway of Los Angeles is more lamentable than it was 10 years former. “Los Angeles is a natural pollution trap. The bordering mountains combine with the region’s temperature inversions to surround dirty air. Smoke and fumes from steel and chemical plants, oil refineries and backyard trash incinerators plagued the city” (Gardner, Sarah). In 2013, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside reach situated the 1st most ozone-dirtied city, the 4th most sullied city by yearly atom tainting, and the 4th most dirtied city by 24-hour particle pollution. Both ozone and particle sullying are hazardous to human well being. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attracted a leading group of expert specialists, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, to help them study the evidence. The EPA released their most recent review of the rhythmic movement research on wellbeing danger of ozone and atom defilement. Six significant air poisons, implied as "criteria toxic substances" are ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and sulfur dioxide and finally lead are routinely checked for suitability with air pollution standards. The South Coast Air Basin stays neglecting the ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide measures. Ozone and particulate matter are seen as the most essential to human well being. There are...

Words: 1658 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Air Pollution

...Air Pollution The environmental issue we are facing in today’s society is atmospheric pollution. Air pollution is an emission of chemical derived from human activities, organic materials, and particulate matters. Automobile is the greatest contributor to our air pollution. Various living organisms, such as animals, humans, and plants are at risk. Plant life is critical to keep our air uncontaminated. Human daily activity is the prime impact of both negative and positive effect to air quality. United States is suffering from major air pollution because of the mixture of immense population use of automobiles and manufacturing industries. Motorized vehicle emits substantial amount of carbon monoxide and nitrogen in to the air every day. Manufacturing industries, such as power plants and other facilities, release ten times more of particulate matters and sulfur oxide than motorized vehicles. In contrast, the positive effects humans have to offer are taking a few initiatives to redeem their mistakes by inventing non conventional fuels such as biodiesel, batteries and fuel cells, and other biomass resource. This proposal is to establish a mitigation plan to discuss the benefits and challenges of air pollutions. Furthermore, this devise strategy will encompass government and societal support to enhance the air quality we breathe. “The atmosphere is a complex, dynamic natural gaseous system that is essential to support life on planet Earth. Stratospheric ozone depletion...

Words: 1897 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Environmental Crime

...Running Head: Environmental Crime Environmental Crime [Name] [School] In partial fulfillment of the requirements for [subject] [Professor] [Date] ABSTRACT Environmental Crime is a very serious crime not only to the present society but also to the next generation of humans, animals and plants. This is a serious matter that affects the whole plant. This research paper discusses the definition of environmental crime, a few examples of companies that had committed environmental crime, environmental laws and crime punishment of the companies who had committed these crimes. Definition of Environmental Crime Environmental Crime is very hard to define. Some people say that it is a white collar crime, to others it is not just simply a white collar crime but it can be considered as crime against society. Whit Gibbons (2001) had shown two types of environmental crime in his article. First type is an individual such as an ordinary person dumping waste to the river and the other type is the white-collared type where companies dump harmful contaminants to a water source or the air. The main difference of the two according to Gibbons (2001) is that it is easier to prosecute an individual than a business corporation. The sad part is the business corporations who commit environmental crimes affects the environment more than an individual. He had treated the business corporation offenders as white-collar criminals and as such defined it...

Words: 2177 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

The Eight Types of Alternative Fuel

...The Eight Types of Alternative Fuel There are different kinds of alternative fuels in the world at present. There are eight different types of alternative fuels which are Ethanol, Natural Gas, Propane, Hydrogen, Bio-Diesel, Electricity, Methanol and P-series. All these alternative fuels have different properties, different source used, and different vehicle's used and different impact on the environment and on the world. But one point to be noted is that even though they have different impact on environment, alternative fuels in vehicles can generally reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. Another interesting fact I found about these fuels in particular is that they can rather be domestically produced and can be derived from renewable resource but the fossil fuels which are being used today such as petroleum and diesel cannot be derived from renewable source. Once these fossil fuels will be extinct alternative fuels are the one which will come to use. I personally think that if even a small majority of the people in the world start using alternative fuels then the pollution and disease will decline and the pressure on fossil fuels, of course, will decrease. The advantages to use alternative fuels are massive. The impact of alternative fuels can have on earth, on people, on so many things is just great. Using alternative fuels can change a lot of things on earth a pollution free place. Here are some possible alternative means of propulsion for road vehicles...

Words: 3588 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Stuhdent

...Air Pollution Problem in Bangladesh SUBMITTED TO- SUBMITTED BY: ASSIGNMENT Introduction Air pollution is one of a variety of manmade environmental disasters that are currently taking place all over the world. Air pollution may be defined as an atmospheric condition in which various substances are present at concentrations high enough above their normal ambient levels to produce a measurable effect on people, animals, vegetation, or materials. ‘Substances’ refers to any natural or manmade chemical elements or compounds capable of being airborne. These may exist in the atmosphere as gases, liquid drops, or solid particles. It includes any substance whether noxious or benign; however, the term ‘measurable effect’ generally restricts attention to those substances that cause undesirable effects. Air quality has deteriorated both due to human activities, and natural phenomenon such as wind-blown dust particles etc. There are two major sources of air pollution in Bangladesh, vehicular emissions and industrial emissions. However, these are mainly concentrated in the cities. Recently, air pollution has received priority among environmental issues in Asia, as well as in other parts of the world. Exposure to air pollution is the main environmental threat to human health in many towns and cities. Particulate emission is mainly responsible for increased death rate and respiratory problems for the urban population. This problem is acute in Dhaka being...

Words: 2599 - Pages: 11