What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide (also known as CO) is a colourless, odourless poisonous gas and is a common yet preventable cause of death from poisoning worldwide.

Approximately half of the deaths from unintentional CO poisonings result from the inhalation of smoke from fires. On average between 1 and 2 people die each year in Ireland from unintentional CO poisoning in the home in incidents related to domestic heating or other fossil fuel installations in the home (i.e. excluding the inhalation of smoke from fires).

The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is a common environmental source of CO and is responsible for many cases of non-fatal unintentional CO poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide has no smell, taste or colour. This is why it is sometimes called the "Silent Killer".