Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide can be the result of a poorly maintained furnace

(CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is toxic to humans and animals in high concentrations, although it is produced in low quantities during normal animal metabolism. In the atmosphere, it is short-lived and variable, as it combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and ozone. (CO) consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, linked by a triple bond. It is produced from the partial oxidation of carbon-containing compounds, forming when there is insufficient oxygen for complete combustion, such as in enclosed spaces with stoves or internal combustion engines. When sufficient oxygen is present, carbon monoxide burns with a blue flame, producing carbon dioxide. Coal gas, commonly used before the 1960s for lighting and heating, contained significant amounts of carbon monoxide. Some modern processes, like iron smelting, also produce it as a byproduct.