In such cases, the appliance should be switched off immediately and investigated by an appropriately qualified professional. If the appliance is not burning properly, carbon monoxide levels may be increased. Warning signs of a problem include a gas fire burning with a yellow flame instead of blue, sooty marks on the covers of gas fires or yellow/brown stains around boilers, stoves or fires. This includes having chimneys in households where solid fuel is burned swept regularly, installing household carbon monoxide alarms, never using barbecues in confined/unventilated spaces (including tents or inside) and not leaving cars running in confined spaces such as garages. This can be achieved by ensuring all household gas and solid fuel appliances are installed and regularly maintained or serviced by an appropriately qualified professional. Unnecessary exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide should therefore always be avoided. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to suffocation and death of the mother and baby. What are the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in pregnancy?ĭuring pregnancy, exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the baby in the womb, potentially affecting its growth and development. Breathlessness, chest pain, seizures or loss of consciousness suggest carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide include headache, skin flushing, nausea, tiredness, weakness, problems with balance and co-ordination, memory problems, flu-like illness and dizziness. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning? Serious health effects such as these most commonly occur following exposure to carbon monoxide as a result of faulty heating appliances (gas and solid fuel boilers, fires) or barbecues being used inside homes, caravans, and tents. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can therefore result in illness or death. Inhaled carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the bloodstream. What is carbon monoxide?Ĭarbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas produced by incompletely burned gas and solid fuels such as coal, coke, barbecue charcoal, and wood. UKTIS has been providing scientific information to health care providers since 1983 on the effects that medicines, recreational drugs and chemicals may have on the developing baby during pregnancy. UKTIS is a not-for-profit organisation funded by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on behalf of UK Health Departments. This factsheet has been written for members of the public by the UK Teratology Information Service (UKTIS).
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