Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Green Living - Questions & Answers

......with Debra Lynn Dadd

After recovering from MCS by removing toxic chemicals in her home, Debra Lynn Dadd went on to become a pioneering consumer advocate for health and the environment. Author of Home Safe Home, she also has a popular website containing a directory with more than 1000 links to nontoxic and eco-friendly products, a Q&A blog with many MCS bloggers, recipes for using natural sweeteners, and more. Debra is also available by phone for consultations. She lives in Florida with her husband, who drives a car powered by vegetable oil. Visit her website at http://www.dld123.com.

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009:

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

by Debra Lynn Dadd

Q:

Can you tell me if there is research or info in regards to the safety or harm in using propane lighting? We have all gas appliances and I wonder if we are slowly poisoning ourselves. I do keep windows open even in the winter... Thank you!!

A.S.
Topsham, VT

A:

All propane lights--and other appliances that burn natural or propane gas, kerosene, or wood--produce toxic combustion by-products to a greater or lesser degree depending on how complete the combustion is. You can find out the level of combustion by-products in your home with a carbon monoxide monitor. Carbon monoxide is only one of the combustion by-products, but measuring the level of this one by-product will tell you if you have low or high levels of all of them as a group. Anyone who burns gas, kerosene, or wood for cooking, warmth, or any other purpose should have a carbon monoxide monitor.

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