Carbon monoxide monitors are useful, though I would not use them as a substitute for any of the preventive actions listed above. They have been a problem, due to their tendency to go off on bad smog days. The standard for these is just now changing (October 1995) to prevent this.

Ensure that any combustion appliances are professionally installed, and are maintained and operated according to manufacturer's directions.

Do not idle cars in enclosed garages - even with the garage door open.

Do not use a stove or oven as a heater and do not use unvented kerosene or other heaters inside the home.

Have your home inspected by a qualified inspector who will look for and test for potential carbon monoxide problems.

If you suspect a serious case of carbon monoxide poisoning is occurring, GET OUT OF THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY. Very high levels of carbon monoxide can kill in a few minutes. So first, get out; second, call the fire department to come measure the carbon monoxide levels inside the building.

In suspected cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, the blood can be tested for the level of COHb - the chemical formed of hemoglobin and carbon monoxide. Of course, if carbon monoxide poisoning is verified, the cause of the problem must be found and eliminated before re-entering the building.

Any process resulting in incomplete combustion gases entering occupied spaces can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. It depends on the concentration of carbon monoxide in the gases; the volume of combustion gases; and the length of time over which this occurs.

The most well known symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches and nausea, but long term moderate exposure can cause flu-like and other symptoms.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is a normal product of combustion. When carbon-containing materials burn in the air, complete combustion results in CO2 - carbon dioxide. Any incomplete combustion - and perfect combustion is impossible - results in creation of carbon monoxide.