carbon monoxide
Meaning of carbon monoxide: Colorless and odorless, carbon monoxide binds hemoglobin far more strongly than oxygen does, reducing the blood's capacity to deliver oxygen to tissue.
Definition of carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced whenever a carbon based fuel burns incompletely, such as in vehicle exhaust, malfunctioning furnaces or water heaters, generators, and tobacco smoke. Because it has no color, odor, or taste, carbon monoxide can accumulate in an enclosed space without being noticed until symptoms of exposure develop.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it binds to hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that normally carries oxygen, far more strongly than oxygen itself does, forming a compound called carboxyhemoglobin that reduces the blood's capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Early symptoms of exposure, such as headache, dizziness, and nausea, can resemble other common illnesses, which sometimes delays recognition.
Carbon monoxide detectors are used in homes and other buildings to provide an early warning of a dangerous buildup, since the gas itself cannot be detected by the senses.
Used in a sentence
Blood testing confirmed elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels consistent with carbon monoxide exposure.
Good to know
Early carbon monoxide poisoning can closely resemble a viral illness such as influenza, since headache, nausea, and fatigue are common to both, a similarity that can delay recognition of the true cause.
Word origin
Where “carbon monoxide” comes from
Carbon derives from Latin carbo, meaning charcoal or coal; monoxide is formed from Greek mono-, meaning one, combined with oxide, indicating a compound containing oxygen.