Colorless, odorless gas
Most toxic component in smoke inhalation and major contributor to fire-related deaths
Can co-occur with Cyanide toxicity in industrial fires
Case fatality rate as high as 30%
Peak incidence in winter months for unintentional exposure
Can co-occur with Cyanide toxicity in industrial fires
Formed from incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
Automotive exhaust
Propane-fueled heaters
Wood or coal-burning heaters
Structure fires
Gasoline-powered motors
Natural gas-powered heaters
Waterpipe/Hookah 
Methylene chloride (a degreasing solvent found in most paint strippers) fume inhalation
Metabolized by the liver into<unk><unk>  resulting in delayed toxicity (8 hours or longer)
Metabolized by the liver into<unk><unk>  resulting in delayed toxicity (8 hours or longer)
Hypoxia
Binding affinity of hemoglobin for CO <unk> yhemoglobin) is 200x that of O2
Half-Life
Room air: ~5hrs
100% O2: ~1hr
HBO 2.5atm: 24min
Lactic acidosis
CO inhibits oxidative phosphorylation
Hypotension
CO induces NO2 and guanylate cyclase release → vasodilation release
CO binds to myoglobin and alters its function
CO damage at cellular level due to reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and cellular apoptosis
Occurs in CNS and leads to neurological sequela
Binding affinity of hemoglobin for CO <unk> yhemoglobin) is 200x that of O2
Half-Life
Room air: ~5hrs
100% O2: ~1hr
HBO 2.5atm: 24min
Room air: ~5hrs
100% O2: ~1hr
HBO 2.5atm: 24min
CO inhibits oxidative phosphorylation
CO induces NO2 and guanylate cyclase release → vasodilation release
CO binds to myoglobin and alters its function
Occurs in CNS and leads to neurological sequela
Carbon monoxide toxicity
A "great mimicker" due to the presentation of poisoning being diverse and nonspecific
Oxygen toxicity
Viral syndrome
Chlorate toxicity
Depression
Smoke inhalation injury
Chronic fatigue syndrome