Carbon monoxide ( co ) is a colourless, odourless and very poisonous gas that is produced as a by-product of burning carbon containing materials such as wood, gasoline and coal . when inhaled, co enters the blood stream and bonds to the iron atom of haemoglobin molecule as oxygen does .
As more co attaches to haemoglobin, less oxygen can attach . unfortunately, carbon monoxide's affinity for iron is about 200 times greater than that of oxygen . This means that inhaling even small amounts of co can interfere with the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells . prolonged exposure to small quantities of carbon monoxide gas can result in coma and death.
As more co attaches to haemoglobin, less oxygen can attach . unfortunately, carbon monoxide's affinity for iron is about 200 times greater than that of oxygen . This means that inhaling even small amounts of co can interfere with the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells . prolonged exposure to small quantities of carbon monoxide gas can result in coma and death.