What is a major adverse effect of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that poses significant health hazards, particularly due to its ability to bind with hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemoglobin normally transports oxygen from the lungs to various tissues throughout the body. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it competes with oxygen for binding sites on hemoglobin. This binding is much stronger than that of oxygen, meaning that even low levels of carbon monoxide can significantly reduce the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.

As a result, when carbon monoxide levels are elevated in an environment, it can lead to hypoxia—a condition in which insufficient oxygen reaches the body's tissues. This causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and, in severe cases, can lead to unconsciousness or even death. The critical nature of this interaction highlights why carbon monoxide is often regarded as a major adverse effect relating to air quality and human health, especially in poorly ventilated spaces where combustion occurs, such as in homes with gas appliances or vehicles in closed garages.