What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a odorless, colorless, tasteless, non-irritating and toxic gas.

Carbon monoxide occurs naturally at low levels in our bodies and is essential to cellular functioning. It also occurs naturally at low levels in the air we breathe.

Exposure to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide is dangerous to people and animals (as well as other oxygen breathing organisms).

There are many potential sources of carbon monoxide in the modern world.

CO poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms while in the body as well as short term symptoms and effects and long term effects caused by damage to the brain, other areas of the nervous system, heart, endocrine system, and other cells in the body.

What is carbon monoxide made of?

Each carbon monoxide molecule is composed of a single carbon atom (C), which is bonded to a single oxygen atom (O). The chemical symbol for carbon monoxide is CO.

What is carbon monoxide not?

Carbon monoxide is very different and not to be confused with its much-less-deadly cousin, carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon monoxide has a typical "lifespan" of several months in Earth's atmosphere and eventually reacts with oxygen (O2) to form carbon dioxide (CO2).

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