CARBON MONOXIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas composed of one carbon atom bonded to one oxygen atom. It is a hazardous pollutant that is primarily produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels, such as gasoline, natural gas, wood, and coal.
In normal conditions, carbon monoxide molecules are formed when there is a lack of oxygen during combustion processes. These processes include car engines, industrial furnaces, wood-burning stoves, and tobacco smoke. Once produced, carbon monoxide can accumulate in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas, posing a serious threat to human health and safety.
When inhaled, carbon monoxide molecules enter the bloodstream through the lungs, where they bind to hemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells – with a much higher affinity than oxygen. This hinders the ability of hemoglobin to transport oxygen to body tissues, leading to a condition called carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness and death.
Due to its nature as an odorless and invisible gas, carbon monoxide is especially dangerous as it can go undetected unless specific detectors are in place. Therefore, it is crucial to have working carbon monoxide detectors installed in homes, workplaces, and other areas where fuel-burning devices are used.
Preventing carbon monoxide buildup involves regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, adequate ventilation, and ensuring that all combustion processes take place in a well-ventilated area.
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CO, formed by the combustion of carbon with a limited supply of air, a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas, its toxic action being due to its strong affinity for hemoglobin; it was used by the Germans in the world war as an asphyxiating gas.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CARBON MONOXIDE
- xarbon monoxide
- varbon monoxide
- farbon monoxide
- darbon monoxide
- czrbon monoxide
- csrbon monoxide
- cwrbon monoxide
- cqrbon monoxide
- caebon monoxide
- cadbon monoxide
- cafbon monoxide
- catbon monoxide
- ca5bon monoxide
- ca4bon monoxide
- carvon monoxide
- carnon monoxide
- carhon monoxide
- cargon monoxide
- carbin monoxide
Etymology of CARBON MONOXIDE
The word "carbon" can be traced back to the Latin word "carbo", meaning "coal". It entered the English language in the 18th century.
The word "monoxide" is a combination of the prefix "mono-" meaning "one" and the suffix "-oxide" referring to a compound containing oxygen. "Oxide" came from the Greek word "oxys", meaning "sharp" or "acid", which was later borrowed into Latin as "oxydus". It then made its way into English through Latin and French.
So, "carbon monoxide" can be understood as a compound of carbon and oxygen, where carbon is present in a single state, combined with one unit of oxygen.
Similar spelling words for CARBON MONOXIDE
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