Expert: Mike Smith Date: 1/21/2008 Subject: carbon monoxide
Question Hello Mike I have a few questions one I live in a rural area where we us natural gas wells instead of the cooperatives due to inability to run lines in our area so one I know that natural gas wells has a different scent if any than that of gas companies we just installed a ventless stove in our basement to aid in heating I then began smelling a distinct off smell the gas company did come out and check and said it was not the new stove but was have 9-22 ppm levels from the registers on the main unit. Probably due to a cracked heat exhaust which once checked was the reason but my concern is what some side effects might be we have been sick and like I said noticed it right away I work out of town on weekends so when I came home it was distinctive and my eyes watered all night and icky taste like a filmy taste all day could we have been exposed or need to see a Dr. ASAP.
Answer Cynthia,
Time to shut the furnace down and get out of the house for awhile. Get the furnace fixed before running it again. If you have 22 ppm coming from the vents, you have a problem. Also remember CO is cumulative, meaning even if you only have 22 ppm, the longer you stay in it the more you are exposed. Shut it off right now, get into fresh air. I'm not sure you need a Dr right now but what you do need is fresh air for the next 72 hours at least.
Good luck.
Mike
