Abstract

Carbon monoxide toxicity becomes a momentous health issue in USA and many other countries. This toxicity causes severe morbidity and mortality and its symptoms resemble with other illness. Source of CO include, second hand smoke, fumes from heating systems burning fuels, exhaust fumes from motor vehicles. One of the most frequent sources of CO is gas from the exhaust of vehicles. CO poisoning should be considered when two or more patients are instantaneously sick. CO toxicity is not due to reduced oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Its symptoms are non-specific and may range from nausea and headache to intense central nervous system dysfunction. People may die even in low level of carbon monoxide without involving other toxic agents. This review will be helpful to understand the CO toxicity and also would be capable to minimize the CO toxicity.

Keywords: Toxic; Carbon monoxide; Haldane effect; Oxyhemoglobin