Carbon Monoxide exists as a colorless and unscented gas. Exposure to Carbon Monoxide(CO) can be fatal to human beings. Haemoglobin found in human red blood cells forms a stable compound with Carbon Monoxide thus inhibit transport of oxygen. Victims of Carbon Monoxide exposure may experience general weakness, nausea, headache, and unconsciousness. Extreme exposure to the gas leads to death without prior warning signals. Moreover, exposure to liquid Carbon Monoxide can cause burns resembling those of frostbite. People working in high altitude areas are exposed to the risk of Carbon Monoxide exposure. In addition, pregnant women are more susceptible to the effects of Carbon Monoxide due to their heightened sensitivity to gas. The effects and fatalities associated with Carbon Monoxide can be mitigated and contained by contacting a physician immediately the aforementioned symptoms are experienced. Proper ventilation of living and working spaces reduces the risk of exposure to Carbon Monoxide.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide is prevalent because around forty percent of the world’s population uses solid fuel for their cooking needs (American Thoracic Society, 2018); these include coal and wood. Mothers are exposed to Carbon Monoxide since they are involved in cooking even during pregnancy. Although Carbon Monoxide is among the factors contributing to child mortality, the compound can also be associated with increased risk of poor lung function to fetus exposed during pregnancy. According to the American Thoracic Society(2018), prenatal exposure of infants to Carbon Monoxide significantly affected their lung function. A study conducted in Ghana showed that infants born from mothers exposed to Carbon Monoxide from the traditional three-stoned cooking apparatus had poor lung function as compared to those who were not (American Thoracic Society, 2018). In particular, girls were more affected by in-utero exposure to Carbon Monoxide. Further, Carbon Monoxide exposure during the second and third trimesters of a pregnancy affected infants’ lung function more than during the first three months of development (American Thoracic Society, 2018).
References
American Thoracic Society. (2018). In Utero Exposure to Carbon Monoxide Increases Infants' Risk of Poor Lung Function. Science Daily. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180521092740.htm
