Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that's produced during the burning of fuels, such as gasoline, kerosene, or wood. Carbon monoxide has no color or odor. It can't be seen or smelled. If it builds up in an enclosed area without enough ventilation, it can be poisonous to humans. It often results from poorly maintained home furnaces. It can also be caused by portable stoves or heaters, gasoline engines, and smoke from house fires.
CO poisoning keeps oxygen from getting to the brain, heart, and other body organs. Symptoms may include:
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Headaches.
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Nausea and vomiting.
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Dizziness.
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Irritability.
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Drowsiness.
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Confusion.
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Shortness of breath.
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Fainting.
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Chest pain.
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Convulsions (seizures).
Certain severe effects may not show up for a few days to a few weeks. These may include memory loss, personality changes, and shaking (tremor).
Never ignore symptoms of CO poisoning.
Home care
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Rest until you feel fully back to normal.
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During at least the next 24 hours, don't smoke, and stay away from secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke is a source of carbon monoxide.
Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
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Make sure that there's enough fresh air in any area that has a lit fire. This includes rooms and outdoor areas with wood or gas fireplaces, fire pits, and stoves. Don't use portable heaters, stoves, or gasoline engines, such as cars or generators, in poorly ventilated areas. Never use a generator inside your garage or house, even if it's by an open window. Keep generators outside and more than 20 feet away from your home, garage, and windows.
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Have all fuel-burning appliances checked by a professional at the start of every cold weather season. This includes furnaces, water heaters, and ovens. Newly installed heaters must be vented according to the manufacturer's specifications. Make sure you know how to use these appliances in a way that helps prevent CO poisoning.
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Have your car exhaust inspected regularly.
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Install and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
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Contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772 or visit www.cpsc.gov to learn how to reduce your risk for CO poisoning.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your doctor as advised if you don't feel back to normal in the next 24 hours or if delayed symptoms appear during the next few weeks.
Call 911
Call 911 if you have signs of re-exposure to the carbon monoxide source. These include:
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A return of the same symptoms that you were treated for.
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Headache, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
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Confusion, drowsiness, or convulsions (seizures).
Online Medical Reviewer:
Daphne Pierce-Smith RN MSN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Rajadurai Samnishanth Researcher
Online Medical Reviewer:
Ronald Karlin MD
Date Last Reviewed:
6/1/2025
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