The foremost danger of carbon monoxide is the risk of poisoning. While you have to inhale a significant amount of the gas to lose consciousness or, in the worst-case scenario, die -- even a small amount of carbon monoxide can cause serious illness. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, chest pain, and an upset stomach. Some describe the symptoms as being “flu-like”. However, as the initial signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be easy to overlook or brush off as the flu, the danger is that carbon monoxide exposure continues and can result in loss of consciousness and death.
Everyone is at risk from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, but some people are especially prone to these effects. Infants, elderly people, and those with breathing problems or chronic heart disease are at higher risk than most. However, even a healthy person can be affected by the dangers of carbon monoxide, and avoiding leaks is the best way to stay safe.