Carbon monoxide

carbon monoxide

n.

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon or of a carbonaceous material, such as gasoline.

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Carbon monoxide

A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas.

Mentioned in: Antiparkinson Drugs

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carbon monoxide

a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, CO, formed by burning carbon or organic fuels with a scanty supply of oxygen; inhalation causes central nervous system damage and asphyxiation. Carbon monoxide is present in the exhaust of petrol engines, in the smoke of wood and coal fires, in manufactured gas such as that used in the household, and wherever carbon burns without a sufficient supply of oxygen. Used as a euthanizing agent for dogs and laboratory animals.

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carbon monoxide poisoning

poisoning by carbon monoxide; one of the most common types of gas poisoning. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it comes in contact with the blood and combines with hemoglobin. Since carbon monoxide combines more readily with hemoglobin than does oxygen, it takes the place of oxygen in the erythrocytes, and the tissues are thus deprived of their normal oxygen supply. Death from asphyxia results if a large enough quantity of carbon monoxide is inhaled. Because death is very sudden, carbon monoxide has been used as a euthanatizing agent for dogs in large numbers. It is not widely used because of the danger to human attendants and the difficulty in maintaining a CO generator in good condition for long periods.