Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas. It is a gas that is impossible to see, taste, or smell. Because of this, carbon monoxide can kill you before you are aware it is even present in the home. When the level of exposure is low, carbon monoxide poisoning has symptoms that are frequently mistaken to be the flu.
The low-level exposure symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue. The effects that carbon monoxide has on the body can vary from person to person. Some of the biggest factors in determining their effect are the person’s age, overall health, concentration level, and the length of exposure.
Carbon monoxide found in the home can come from a variety of sources. Unvented kerosene, unvented gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, wood fireplaces, gas stoves, and a huge number of other things found in the home that are sources of heat can all leak carbon monoxide.
When the concentration of carbon monoxide is low, fatigue in healthy people is common. A low concentration can cause chest pains in people who have heart disease. When the level of concentration is higher, exposure can result in impaired vision, decreased coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea.
If the carbon monoxide in a person’s home is due to a faulty product or faulty construction of a fireplace or flue, a person’s injuries may be covered by a recall or other legal options.
Contact a Minneapolis Products Liability Lawyer
If you have been injured by a faulty product, contact the Minneapolis products liability lawyers of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen, P.L.L.C. at 612-362-0000.
