Question

What is carbon monoxide? Why is it toxic?

Answer 1

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas of carbon. When fuels undergo incomplete combustion, it results in the formation of carbon monoxide. It is released into the atmosphere from various sources like vehicle fuels, domestic fuels, industries, furnaces, etc, cigarette smoking also is a source of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless toxic gas. When CO enters the human body through breathing, it affects the function of hemoglobin. CO displaces oxygen from hemoglobin thereby stopping its function, i.e., a supply of oxygen is blocked to the parts of the body, thereby leading to death.