Producer Gas Vehicles
Carbon Monoxide Safety – The gas from vehicle-mounted gas generators can contain up to 35% carbon monoxide (CO). When inhaled, carbon monoxide can be fatal at concentrations as low as 0.1%. For this reason – especially while starting the fire or during refilling – there is a danger of poisoning!
Start and refill the gas generator only out of doors! Stay away from the blower discharge. Keep engines from running in garages.
Anybody working with wood gas generators should learn and conform to the procedures for a safe operation.
Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly
You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but it can kill a person in minutes at high levels.
CO is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used correctly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if devices are not working correctly or misused, dangerous CO levels can result.
Hundreds of people die accidentally yearly from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more, they die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, older people, and people with anemia or a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible.
Be safe. Practice the DO and DON’Ts of carbon monoxide.
CO Poisoning Symptoms
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint.
You can also die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches and may have longer-term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think CO poisoning could be the cause.
Please have a look at the EPA website for more information.