Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

jacksd3 · 05-13-2009, 03:05 AM

You've all heard stories of this before but it happened to me yesterday. I have a couple days off from work this week so I wanted to put some time into the rebuild of my M30/69 motor. I have the bare case mounted on my stand waiting for the rods and crank to come back from the machine shop. The last thing to do was get rid of the original studs. So, I grabbed a small Sears propane torch and my 1/2" M10 stud remover and went at it. I got about 19 off before I felt nauscious, dizzy, and had a mild headache. I knew what is was right away and got to safety but I was done for the day.

Safety first fellas!

torresmd · 05-13-2009, 07:49 AM

Hope your feeling better now. CO poisoning can be very serious. It binds irreversibly to the hemoglobin on your red blood cells, and prevents oxygen from binding.

jacksd3 · 05-13-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks I feel much better today. But to be safe I paid a visit to my GP this morning. All is well.

rufporschecar · 05-13-2009, 11:06 AM

That is the reason I have a Carbon Monoxide detector in my garage. If it goes off I go outside.

NathanUK · NathanUK's Garage

Are you saying the propane burning depleted all the oxygen or are you saying there was a reaction?

mark houghton · 06-07-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanUK

Are you saying the propane burning depleted all the oxygen or are you saying there was a reaction?

It should take a lot more than a propane torch in open air to result in CO poisoning. But I suppose it's possible in a confined space...like if a person were to hover over 19 case studs while heating them up. I wouldn't think that would be a problem, but let's not argue with the medical profession....they are gods don't you know? I won't tell you what my "formal" education was, but let's just say that I've been known to challenge conventional medical wisdom from time to time.
Who knows, perhaps propane has as much affinity for oxygen receptors as does carbon monoxide. In short, your RBC's end up starving for the gas, you feel like crap, pass out and eventually move on to a higher plain unless you get your A$$ outa-there. I think Jacks lesson is: Ventillation.