Feature Articles
Carbon monoxide detectors
should be replaced every five years
Eileen Yager, Communications Officer,
Extension & Ag Information, University of Missouri
Homeowners may be surprised to learn that they need to
replace the carbon monoxide detector they bought just a few
years ago.
"Carbon monoxide detectors are only good for about five
years," said Michael Goldschmidt, a housing and environmental
design specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
The arrival of cooler weather brings increased risk for
carbon monoxide poisoning as people kick on natural gas and
propane furnaces. "One of the most common areas where carbon
monoxide occurs is the furnace and the flue," Goldschmidt
said.
Detectors use an electrochemical element to measure the
carbon monoxide levels in the air, he said.
"After five years, the carbon monoxide detector can
function improperly," he said. "It could ring when there isn't
a high level of carbon monoxide or not ring when carbon
monoxide levels are high."
Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headaches,
tightness of chest, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and
breathing difficulties. Severe exposure to carbon monoxide can
cause brain damage and death, Goldschmidt said.
Unintentional carbon dioxide poisoning results in about
2,100 deaths per year, according to researchers at the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control, who believe more than half of
those deaths could be prevented with carbon monoxide
detectors.
Gas furnaces, as well as gas-powered water heaters, stoves
and other appliances, generate small amounts of carbon
monoxide as a byproduct of combustion.
"If they are not working properly, they will produce large
amounts" of the odorless, colorless gas, he said. "We
recommend that you get the furnace checked every year."
Homeowners should install carbon monoxide detectors, which
will sound an alarm when carbon monoxide levels are high, on
each level of their house. Detectors should be placed outside
of bedrooms, Goldschmidt said.
"The room could have dangerous levels of carbon monoxide,
and you would be exposed to dangerous levels before the
detector rings," he said.
Carbon monoxide detectors should have a battery back up and
be tested monthly. Detectors also should be tested after power
outages. Those with a number read out should be reset before
testing.
If a carbon monoxide detector goes off, get out immediately and then call the fire department. "Even the time you take to open a window is enough to be exposed to dangerous levels," he said.
Source: Michael Goldschmidt goldschmidtm@missouri.edu
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Last update: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
