10% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — No symptoms.
15% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — Mild Headache.
25% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — Nausea and serious headache. Fairly quick recovery after given
oxygen.
30% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — Potential long-term effects, especially in infants, children, the
elderly, victims of heart disease and pregnant women.
45% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — Unconsciousness.
50% of carbon monoxide in the
blood — Death.
Carbon monoxide inhibits the
blood's ability to carry oxygen to body tissues, including vital organs. Once
combined with hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for
transporting oxygen. Compounding the effects of carbon monoxide is the fact that
it takes five hours for the level of carbon monoxide in the body to drop to half
its level at the time of exposure.
