BBQ with charcoal: Never indoors!
Foto: Tox Info Suisse, cnu
Those affected have no idea of the danger:
- CO is colorless and odorless.
- There are no useful warning signs such as burning sensation in the eyes or lungs.
- Initial symptoms are non-specific and similar to a cold.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is formed when charcoal is incompletely burned
The poisonous gas carbon monoxide is formed when carbonaceous fuels such as charcoal burn incompletely. This occurs when there is insufficient air supply, like in (semi) closed rooms. There is a risk of high concentrations of carbon monoxide in the air we breathe. In our blood, carbon monoxide displaces oxygen from binding to red blood pigment hemoglobin. As a result, the oxygen transport is severely restricted. The body is at risk of life-threatening lack of oxygen.
CO is colorless and odorless and does not burn the eyes or lungs
Carbon monoxide is colourless, tasteless and odorless and is quickly absorbed through the lungs when inhaled. It doesn't cause any irritation neither in they eyes, nor in the respiratory tract, and warning symptoms such as coughing, burning and watering eyes are completely absent. As a result, those affected often have no idea of the deadly danger and do not take the first symptoms seriously.
The first symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the onset of a cold
Typical non-specific initial symptoms:
Headache, nausea, dizziness.
Symptoms of moderate to severe poisoning:
Vomiting, shortness of breath, breathlessness, tiredness, confusion, syncope (collapse), low blood pressure, depressed level of consciousness to the point of deep coma, epileptic seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, myocardial arrest, death.
IMPORTANT: Never ignore symptoms in these situations!
Especially if there is more than one person complaining about symptoms.
In case of emergency
- Quickly leave the room.
- Fresh air supply.
- Never put yourself at risk when helping someone with carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Immediately go to the hospital, if clear symptoms are present call the emergency services on 144.
There is little time between the first symptoms of poisoning and unconsciousness
The time span between the first symptoms of poisoning and the onset of unconsciousness is short, which is why rapid action must be taken if CO poisoning is suspected.
Further information
Did you know?
- Dangerous levels of CO can build up even if you keep windows, doors or garage doors open while barbequing.
- So-called "indoor bbq's" and cooking pots that run on charcoal ("hot pots") are also dangerous.
Additional article on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning (currently only available in German):
Siehe «Tox Blog» Gefahr der akuten Kohlenmonoxidvergiftung beim Shisha-Rauchen
More articles about barbeque (currently only available in German):
Siehe «Tox Blog» Anzündhilfen, ein Spiel mit dem Feuer?
Aktualisiert April 2023