Prolonged exposure to natural gas can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, and, in severe cases, asphyxiation due to the displacement of oxygen in the air. Preventing gas leaks starts with regular maintenance of your furnace and gas lines.
Symptoms of Heater Sickness
Here are a few common symptoms to keep an eye out for: Coughing and sneezing. Sinus infections. Allergy symptoms.
Key points about carbon monoxide poisoning
Most CO exposures happen in the winter. A common source is unvented space heaters. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.
Rotten Egg Smells
The sulfur does smell similar to rotten eggs or dirty gym socks. If you've noticed a suspicious stink in your home, then you may have a gas leak — especially if the smell is strongest near your furnace.
The Dangers of a Poorly Ventilated Furnace
They produce byproducts such as carbon monoxide that can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue; in high concentrations, exposure can lead to unconsciousness and death. The gas is colorless and odorless, which is why carbon monoxide alarms are required in your home.
If your furnace is not burning properly or if the exhaust vent is blocked or damaged, CO can leak into your home and build up to dangerous levels. CO can cause a range of symptoms, such as: Headache. Dizziness.
Increased moisture within the home is a sign that your furnace venting isn't adequate. Without proper ventilation, fumes from the furnace leak into your home and cause condensation. This moisture is most notable in the morning and when you first turn on your heating unit.
Sometimes, gas is released from your furnace every time you start it. The odor is usually faint and should dissipate within a short time when you open the windows.
Can a gas leak make you ill? Sometimes, a gas leak can cause headaches, dizziness and nausea. If you have mild symptoms they should go away when you leave the home, but it's still a good idea to see a doctor. Breathing in carbon monoxide, meanwhile, can lead to poisoning, which can be fatal.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.
But before you fire it up, be prepared that feeling nice and toasty may also come with a stuffy nose, dry throat, cough or even a headache. These cold-like symptoms are referred to as "heater sickness." “This happens because dust, pollen and other allergens accumulate in your ducts during the warmer months,” Dr.
Signs of poor indoor air quality may include excessive amounts of dust or increased difficulty breathing in your home. People with allergies or other breathing problems will often be some of the first to experience the effects of poor indoor air quality. Sometimes you might even smell the problem before you can see it.
Respiratory Issues
Did you know that an old or broken furnace can be linked to breathing problems among your household? If your heating system isn't working properly, it can pump dust, mold, and other pathogens into your home air supply. This can cause asthma to worsen, and other breathing related illnesses to pop up.
Hissing Sounds: If you notice a hissing sound coming from around your gas furnace, this can be a sign that your unit is leaking gas.
If you smell gas near an appliance, it may be just a pilot light that has gone out or a burner valve that is open slightly. If you find this problem and can fix it, the problem may be solved. If you smell gas inside: Go to a phone that is not near the smell and call your local gas company right away.
No, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms cannot detect natural gas leaks. They are designed to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas formed during incomplete combustion of fuels like oil, gas, propane, and wood.
Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals. Exit the property and call 911 if you suspect your home has a gas leak.
Here's what you should DO if you smell gas: DO leave the home, building, or area of the suspected leak. Get to a safe area as quickly as possible. After leaving your home, DO call the 24-hour emergency number for Peoples at 1-800-400-4271, or call your local emergency response number.
Burner flames yellow instead of clear blue – If the burner flames on natural gas-fired appliances such as your furnace, water heater, or stove are showing as mostly yellow instead of clear blue, this can be an indication of backdrafting.
If the furnace exhaust can't provide proper airflow, there won't be enough oxygen for complete fuel combustion. Partially combusted gas molecules can pose a health hazard in your home if the furnace exhaust pipe can't disperse them outside.