Carbon monoxide consists of one atom of carbon and one element of oxygen bound together to form a chemically simple molecule. Though both carbon and oxygen are essential to human life in other forms, they form a sinister combination when bound together as carbon monoxide. The specific danger posed by carbon monoxide is that red blood cells will absorb carbon monoxide and turn away oxygen. As a result, oxygen starvation inside the human body occurs which will ultimately cause cellular death. Should this occur at high enough concentrations, affected individuals will eventually suffocate.
Latest Answers