Chemistry
Give reasons why carbon monoxide is considered a highly poisonous gas. State why it is dangerous
(i) To sleep in a closed room with a fuel burning
(ii) To be in the vicinity of smokers
Answer
Carbon monoxide combines with the haemoglobin in the red cells forming a stable compound carboxyl-haemoglobin which prevents the haemoglobin from taking up oxygen. A person thus dies due to lack of oxygen resulting in asphyxia which is a condition caused by lack of oxygen resulting in suffocation or death.
(i) It is dangerous to sleep in a closed room with a coal fire burning since carbon burns in a limited supply of air forming carbon monoxide, which is fatal to life.
(ii) As fumes of burning tobacco contains traces of carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas, hence it it dangerous to be in the vicinity of smokers.
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