Carbon monoxide is a known pollutant, almost omnipresent in present-day cities around the world. It is produced during the process of burning fuel (gasoline, oil, diesel, wood, charcoal etc.). This means it’s present in vehicle exhaust and tobacco smoke, as well as unvented spaces where fuel is being burned.
Carbon monoxide (one carbon molecule + one oxygen molecule) is a toxic colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with the chemical formula CO.
Carbon monoxide is commonly used in the production of several kinds of chemicals. It is part of the processing, preparation or production of phosgene, methanol etc., used in meat coloring, as well as in metallurgy to extract metals from ores. It is also naturally present in the human body, as a neurotransmitter.
Effects depend on the concentration of carbon monoxide you are exposed to, and can include the following: