What carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations and duration correspond to what symptoms?
CO Concentration |
Duration of Exposure | CarboxyHb in Blood | Common Symptoms |
to 0.01% |
indefinite | 1-10% | Mild toxicity: slight headache; tightness across forehead. |
0.01-0.02% |
indefinite | 10 to 20% | Worse headache. |
0.02-0.03% |
5-6 hr | 20 to 30% | Throbbing headache. |
0.04-0.06% |
4-5 hr | 30 to 40% | Moderate toxicity: severe headache; weakness, nausea, vomiting; collapse. |
0.07-0.1% |
3-4 hr | 40 to 50% | Faster symptoms; death possible. |
0.11-0.15% |
1.5-3 hr | 50 to 60% | Severe Toxicity: fast pulse and breathing; coma; seizures; death likely. |
0.16-0.3% |
1-1.5 hr | 60 to 70% | Slowed heart and breathing; death. |
0.5-1% |
15-45 min | 70 to 80% | Respiratory failure and death. |