8.9 - Why carbon monoxide is toxic
Trace how carbon monoxide interferes with oxygen transport from the lungs to body cells.
An invisible gas
Carbon monoxide, CO, is a toxic gas that can form when carbon-containing fuels burn incompletely. It is a different substance from carbon dioxide, CO₂.
CO is colourless and odourless, so sight and smell cannot reveal its presence. These properties explain why exposure can go unnoticed; they do not explain the chemical mechanism of toxicity.
From haemoglobin to respiration
Haemoglobin in red blood cells normally binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to body tissues. Cells use oxygen for aerobic respiration, releasing energy needed for their activities.
Carbon monoxide binds strongly to haemoglobin. Less oxygen can then be carried and delivered to tissues, restricting aerobic respiration and energy supply. Vital organs can be seriously harmed.
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